FSU blows first-half lead, loses to Clemson

TALLAHASSEE — Jaron Blossomgame had 14 points and seven rebounds for Clemson, which snapped Florida State's two-game winning streak with a 62-56 victory Wednesday night.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes had 15 points for the Seminoles (12-11, 4-6 ACC), who reversed a recent trend of starting slowly then rallying.

FSU led for most of the first half until hitting a prolonged shooting drought. Leading 19-17 with 7:53 left in the half, the 'Noles made two of their next 10 shots as the Tigers (14-8, 6-4) went ahead 33-23 with 17:04 left in the game.

Clemson was ahead 58-53 with 31 seconds left when the Tigers' Jordan Roper was called for a foul on Rathan-Mayes' 3-pointer. But the FSU freshman made only 1 of 3 free throws, and the Seminoles fouled Blossomgame, who missed both of his. Then Florida State's Devon Bookert was fouled on the ensuing rebound and hit two to make it 58-56.

Josh Smith then hit two free throws for Clemson, and after Rathan-Mayes missed a 3-pointer, Roper was fouled and hit two more to put the game away.

In the Seminoles' past three home games, they trailed by at least 15 in the first half. They came back to win two and tied the other before losing.