Florida State Routs Florida A&M 112-69 in Tampa: Rancik's Career-High 25 Opens Year Two Under Loucks
Six Seminoles in double figures, 62 points in the paint and a 54-27 halftime lead - in the first regular-season meeting of the two Tallahassee schools since 1991, coached on the other bench by an FSU legend.
Florida State did not ease into its season. The Seminoles routed Florida A&M 112-69 on Monday night in Tampa, in the nightcap of the Orion180 Tipoff Classic - the first regular-season meeting between the two Tallahassee schools since 1991, and a statement opener for year two under head coach Luke Loucks.
Sebastian Rancik scored a career-high 25 points to lead six Seminoles in double figures, and freshman Marcis Ponder marked his collegiate debut with a double-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds. Florida State scored the game's first 10 points, pushed the margin to 26-10 on a 13-2 run, closed the half on an 8-0 run to lead 54-27, and owned the interior all night - 62 points in the paint to Florida A&M's 22, a dominance that covered for an 8-for-24 night from three-point range. The 112 points made it back-to-back season openers over 100 for the Seminoles, and their highest total since scoring 113 against Chicago State in November 2019.
Across the court stood a familiar figure: Florida A&M is coached by Charlie Ward, the Florida State legend and former Heisman Trophy winner, now in his second season with the Rattlers. His team put three players in double figures, led by Jaden Kempson Jr.'s 27 points, with Daisean Williford adding 19 and Antonio Baker Jr. 15 - resistance that never threatened the result. Florida State, chasing its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2021, takes the 1-0 start home to Tallahassee, where Troy visits on Friday night.
