Rancik Leads Florida State to Dominant 112–69 Win Over FAMU
Florida State opened its season with a convincing performance Monday night, defeating Florida A&M 112–69 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
Sebastian Rancik led the Seminoles with 25 points, while Marcis Ponder recorded a double-double as FSU controlled the glass, forced turnovers and pulled away early. Florida State led 54–27 at halftime and continued building its advantage after the break.
Seminoles Take Control Early
Florida State scored the game’s first 10 points, with Ponder supplying its opening two baskets on second-chance opportunities. FAMU did not score until Jaden Kempson’s jumper with 16 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Rattlers cut the deficit to 13–8, but the Seminoles responded by creating separation. Ponder finished a dunk and converted the accompanying free throw, while Brandon Bass Jr. and Rancik later connected from beyond the arc.
Rancik’s three-pointer with 9:05 remaining pushed FSU ahead 26–10. The Seminoles kept extending their advantage and entered halftime with a commanding 27-point lead.
Rancik Leads a Balanced Offense
Rancik delivered an efficient scoring performance, finishing with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He made two three-pointers and went 7-for-8 at the free-throw line, adding four rebounds and two assists.
Anthony Robinson II contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists without committing a turnover. Ponder finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards, while shooting 5-for-6 from the field.
Kam Taylor added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Bass supplied 13 points off the bench, and Martay Barnes finished with 10, giving Florida State six double-figure scorers.
Shon Abaev struggled with his shot, finishing with six points on 3-of-12 shooting, but contributed six assists, four rebounds and three steals without a turnover.
Rebounding and Pressure Make the Difference
Florida State’s advantage extended well beyond its scoring.
The Seminoles outrebounded FAMU 47–30, collected 15 offensive rebounds and forced 17 turnovers while committing just seven. FSU also recorded 12 steals, with Elisee Assui contributing four.
Florida State shot 54.9 percent from the field and held the Rattlers to 38.7 percent. The Seminoles also made 26 free throws on 34 attempts, helping them maintain control even though FAMU made more three-pointers.
No Letup After Halftime
FSU continued to stretch the lead in the second half. Barnes connected on three-pointers at the 16:02 and 15:00 marks, and Rancik followed with a dunk off an Abaev assist to make it 69–35.
The Seminoles reached 100 points on a Rancik jumper with 4:54 remaining. Their lead eventually grew to 51 when Bass finished a layup to make it 111–60 with 2:10 left.
Kempson led FAMU with 27 points, but the Rattlers could not overcome Florida State’s early separation and balanced production.
In The Endzone Player of the Game: Sebastian Rancik
Sebastian Rancik earns In The Endzone Player of the Game honors after leading Florida State with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He knocked down two three-pointers, went 7-for-8 at the free-throw line and added four rebounds and two assists.
Rancik helped FSU establish its first-half advantage and continued producing after the break. His efficient scoring led a balanced offensive effort as the Seminoles opened the season with a 112–69 victory.
Up Next
Florida State returns to Tallahassee to face Troy on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. ET.
The opener gave Luke Loucks plenty to build on: efficient scoring from Rancik, a double-double from Ponder and contributions throughout the rotation.