Florida State Defeats Northern Kentucky in Season Opener with Strong Defense and Standout Performances
Florida State's men’s basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season with an impressive 74-62 victory over Northern Kentucky, providing an exciting glimpse of their depth and defensive prowess. Playing at the Tucker Civic Center, the Seminoles came out strong, showcasing improvements and establishing a double-digit lead before halftime—a gap they maintained throughout the game.
Taylor Bol Bowen and Jamir Watkins were the stars for Florida State, both scoring 17 points. For Bowen, it was a career-high performance, as he displayed versatility and hustle that electrified the court. He was active on both ends, securing rebounds, disrupting passes, and blocking shots, and his ability to move without the ball created easy scoring opportunities. Head Coach Leonard Hamilton noted how Bowen’s athleticism and high motor made him effective, showing growth in his skills while remaining true to his strengths as a quick, tenacious player.
The first half opened with Watkins scoring a three-pointer, followed by an explosive dunk after a steal, setting an early tone of intensity. Despite an early run by Northern Kentucky, which briefly put them ahead, Florida State’s substitutions quickly swung the momentum back. Freshmen like Daquan Davis and Justin Thomas brought energy off the bench, creating a spark that led to a 13-1 run. Watkins and Bowen’s teamwork was on full display as they executed plays that kept the Norse on their heels. Florida State’s aggressive defense forced turnovers, with Northern Kentucky giving up the ball on nearly a third of their possessions in the first half alone, allowing the Seminoles to head into halftime with a 43-31 lead.
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In the second half, FSU’s defensive strategy continued to shine, stifling NKU’s offensive efforts. The Seminoles’ length and quickness in defensive coverage left NKU scrambling, and Florida State’s relentless press created scoring opportunities on fast breaks. Defensive contributions were spread across the team, with five different players recording steals, and the entire roster staying active in passing lanes and pressuring NKU’s shooters.
While perimeter shooting was a work in progress—FSU struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 4 of 22—Jerry Deng provided a bright spot, knocking down three of his six attempts from three-point range. The Seminoles compensated for their outside shooting woes by attacking the basket, where they converted 58.1% of their shots inside the arc, racking up 44 points in the paint.
Though Northern Kentucky managed to stay competitive by capitalizing on some second-chance opportunities, FSU’s physicality and depth wore them down as the game progressed. The Seminoles' conditioning and fast-paced play style became evident as they stretched their lead to as much as 17 points in the second half. Watkins and Deng sealed the game with key shots, keeping the Norse from closing the gap in the final minutes.
The season opener demonstrated the potential of Florida State’s revamped roster, with contributions from both experienced players and fresh talent. Coach Hamilton’s focus on defense paid off, with the team achieving 50 deflections, a mark that surpassed their typical target and signaled a strong defensive effort. The Seminoles hope to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against Rice in Houston on November 9th, where they’ll aim to continue their success on a neutral court.
With a balanced attack, effective defense, and promising young players, Florida State’s win over Northern Kentucky provides an encouraging outlook for the season ahead.
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