Florida State vs Clemson Results: Robert McCray V Scores 29 as Seminoles Edge Tigers 70-65 in ACC Battle

CLEMSON, S.C. — Robert McCray V scored 29 points, including Florida State’s final 10, to lift the Seminoles to a 70-65 road victory over Clemson on Saturday night in a tightly contested ACC matchup defined by 22 lead changes.

The breaking update extends Florida State’s recent surge, as the Seminoles improved to 14-13 overall and 7-7 in conference play, winning seven of their past nine games. Clemson, which began ACC competition 10-1, dropped its fourth straight contest and fell to 20-8 overall and 10-5 in league play.

McCray delivered in high leverage moments, matching his season high with 29 points and accounting for the decisive stretch late in the second half. After Clemson reclaimed a 65-63 lead, McCray connected on a three pointer to put Florida State ahead 66-65. The Tigers did not score again, missing their final six field goal attempts, five from three point range. McCray added a layup and two free throws to close the game.

The latest momentum swing capped a back and forth battle that featured five ties and constant shifts in control. Florida State led for 11 minutes in the first half despite nine lead changes, but Clemson entered halftime ahead 36-33 after Ace Buckner hit three three pointers in the final four minutes, including two during an 8-0 run.

In the second half, Florida State used a 7-0 burst to take a 48-42 advantage with 13:30 remaining. The Seminoles pushed the margin to eight before Clemson rallied again, grabbing a 56-55 lead with eight minutes left. The closing sequence underscored Florida State’s composure and Clemson’s late shooting struggles.

Lajae Jones added 13 points for the Seminoles, who emphasized defensive pressure and timely execution in the final possessions. Clemson received 15 points from Buckner, 13 from Dillon Hunter and 12 from RJ Godfrey, but perimeter inefficiency proved costly down the stretch.

From a conference standings perspective, the impact is significant. Florida State’s resurgence keeps it in the middle tier of the ACC race and strengthens its postseason outlook if the momentum continues. Clemson, once among the league leaders, must recalibrate after four consecutive losses that have tightened the margin in the standings.

Historically, ACC road victories in tightly contested games often serve as inflection points for bubble teams. Florida State’s ability to win a game with 22 lead changes reflects improved late game execution, particularly through McCray’s shot selection and free throw accuracy.

What this means moving forward centers on consistency. The Seminoles will look to sustain defensive intensity and efficient late game offense, while Clemson must address shot quality and closing execution as conference play intensifies.

Next steps include Florida State hosting Miami on Tuesday, while Clemson returns home to face No. 21 Louisville on Saturday.