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Seminoles open season with 74-62 victory; Watkins, Bol Bowen each score 17

On3 imageby:Corey Clark•11/04/24•

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Jamir Watkins tied for the game-high with 17 points in Monday's season opener. (Courtesy of Florida State Sports Information)

It wasn’t a perfect start for the Florida State men’s basketball team on Monday night at the Tucker Center, but it was plenty good enough to handle Northern Kentucky.

Behind 17 points each from Jamir Watkins and Taylor Bol Bowen (a career-high), the Seminoles overcame poor 3-point shooting and very little offensive rebounding to still win in resounding fashion over the Norse, 74-62.

Florida State was just 4-of-22 from 3-point range and had just seven offensive rebounds on the night (on 35 missed shots), but they used their superior length, athleticism and energy on defense to force 22 turnovers that resulted in 22 points on the other end.

The Seminoles had 14 steals on the night, including four each from Watkins and Chandler Jackson and three from Bol Bowen.

Northern Kentucky shot just 38.8 percent from the field and 7-of-28 from 3-point range as its guards were constantly harassed by the wave of defenders Leonard Hamilton’s team threw at them.

The Seminoles played 11 players against the Norse, and all but starting center Malique Ewin scored at least two points. Jerry Deng came off the bench to hit 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. The rest of the team was a combined 1-of-16.

But Florida State dominated Northern Kentucky in points in the paint, 44-16. And the Seminoles also outscored the visitors 32-21 in bench points.

Hamilton’s team didn’t hit a shot from the floor over the final 4:23 of the game but still won easily. Watkins led the team in minutes with 27. Nobody else played more than 25.

The Seminoles play Rice on Saturday in The Battleground 2K24 Challenge in Houston at 7 p.m.

***Talk about this story with passionate FSU Basketball fans on the Seminole Hoops***

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