Patrick Williams and Trent Forrest each scored 14 points, and No. 8 Florida State took advantage of visiting North Carolina's long shooting drought for a 65-59 victory on Monday night at Tallahassee, Fla.
Raiquan Gray had 12 points for Florida State (19-3, 9-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), which is a game behind first-place Louisville in the league.
North Carolina's Cole Anthony scored 16 points in his second game back after knee surgery, Christian Keeling had 14, and Leaky Black added 10. North Carolina (10-12, 3-8) dropped into a three-way tie for last place in the ACC.
The Tar Heels lost for the second time in a three-day span after winning their two previous games, not a strong tune-up for a Saturday night matchup with their archrival, No. 7 Duke.
North Carolina missed 17 consecutive shots from the field during a second-half stretch but through the first portion of that slump stayed within three points.
By the time North Carolina hit another shot on Keeling's drive, there had been an 11-minute drought and the Seminoles were up 52-44 with just 5:22 to play.
In the meantime, Malik Osborne had five straight points for Florida State.
The score was 57-51 when the Seminoles grabbed an offensive rebound and ended up scoring on two Williams free throws. Keeling responded with a three-point play with 1:12 remaining.
Keeling's 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 61-57 before a Florida State turnover, but Anthony missed a shot from the lane. Williams made two foul shots at the other end.
Florida State has won 18 straight home games, including 12 in ACC play.
Florida State scored the final nine points of the first half for a 29-28 lead. The Tar Heels were scoreless in the last 2:48 before the break.
North Carolina benefited from a string of Florida State turnovers to go on an 8-0 run for an 18-12 lead.
During the shooting drought in the second half, the Tar Heels fell into frontcourt foul trouble.
Anthony, who came off the bench to score 26 points Saturday night against Boston College, was in the starting lineup this time. He was 3 for 8 on free throws after going 14 for 14 at the line on Saturday.
The Tar Heels were without senior guard Brandon Robinson, who sustained an ankle injury in the final minute of the Saturday game.
--Field Level Media
North Carolina | Florida State | |
Cole Anthony 16 | Scoring | Trent Forrest 14 |
Cole Anthony 3 | Assists | Trent Forrest 3 |
Cole Anthony 8 | Rebounds | Devin Vassell 9 |
Cole Anthony 3 | Free Throws Made | Patrick Williams 6 |
Rechon Black 2 | Steals | Raiquan Gray 2 |
Rechon Black 1 | Blocks | Raiquan Gray 4 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
North Carolina | 59 | 30.9 | 6-19 | 11-17 | 10 | 32 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
Florida State | 65 | 41.8 | 4-15 | 15-17 | 9 | 43 | 10 | 3 | 16 |