Florida State Breaks Through with First-Ever Win Over Stanford, Powered by McCray V’s All-Around Performance
Florida State came into Saturday night’s matchup against Stanford looking for something that had eluded them all season: back-to-back wins in ACC play. Under head coach Luke Loucks, the Seminoles have shown flashes, but consistency has been hard to come by. That changed in Tallahassee, where FSU not only strung together two straight victories but also knocked off Stanford for the first time in program history, 88-80.
And this wasn’t a fluke. Florida State didn’t just survive - they controlled large stretches of this game, especially in the second half, behind a balanced offensive attack and a disruptive defense that had Stanford scrambling for answers.
First Half: Trading Blows, Then Turning Up the Pressure
The tone was set immediately. Lajae Jones took the opening tip straight to the rack for a thunderous dunk, and from there, it was game on.
Both teams came out aggressive, trading buckets in a fast-paced first few minutes. Robert McCray V got going early for the Noles, scoring five of their first nine points, while Jermey Dent-Smith responded in kind for the Cardinals.
Stanford made their mark early from deep, knocking down 38% of their threes in the first half compared to just 25% for Florida State. The Cardinals were also winning the battle on the boards, holding a 17-13 edge, including seven offensive rebounds. But while Stanford had the edge in a few key stats, Florida State was doing something that doesn’t always show up in the box score: turning defense into offense.
The Seminoles forced eight first-half turnovers and turned those mistakes into 12 points. That energy shift came midway through the half when Chauncey Wiggins checked back in and immediately sparked a run.
After a quick bucket from Wiggins and another dunk from Jones, Kobe Magee buried a three to give FSU a four-point cushion. Moments later, Jones converted his second and-one of the game as part of a 13-2 run that flipped the momentum.
By halftime, the Seminoles had built a 41-33 lead, thanks to their ability to finish through contact and capitalize on Stanford’s miscues. Jones led all scorers with 13 at the break, while Stanford’s Benny Gealer paced his side with six.
Second Half: Florida State Finds Its Flow
Coming out of the locker room, Florida State didn’t let up. They extended their lead methodically, leaning on crisp ball movement and unselfish play.
McCray V, Jones, Wiggins, and Alex Steen all played key roles in keeping the offense humming. The Seminoles were getting high-percentage looks, and more importantly, they were finishing them.
Defensively, FSU continued to apply pressure. Stanford’s offense became increasingly reliant on Ebuka Okorie, who did his best to keep the Cardinals within reach.
But the lack of balance on Stanford’s end was glaring. Florida State’s defense forced them into rushed possessions and miscommunications, especially on off-ball screens and cuts.
The Seminoles exploited those breakdowns, repeatedly finding lanes to the rim and open shooters in rhythm.
With eight minutes to go, Jones, Steen, and McCray V had all reached double figures - a testament to the team’s offensive balance. After a string of low-scoring grind-it-out games, this 88-point effort was a breath of fresh air for a Florida State team that’s been searching for offensive consistency.
Player of the Game: Robert McCray V
There were several standout performances for Florida State, but Robert McCray V was the engine that made everything go. He finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, while also swiping two steals on the defensive end.
What really stood out? His efficiency.
McCray V shot 6-of-7 from the field and hit his lone three-point attempt. He was poised, in control, and made the right decisions possession after possession.
When the offense needed a creator, he was there. When they needed a finisher, he stepped up. And on a night when Florida State needed to take a step forward, McCray V led the charge.
What’s Next?
With the win, Florida State improves to 10-12 overall and 3-6 in ACC play. The Seminoles will look to keep the momentum rolling as they head to South Bend to face Notre Dame on Saturday, February 7.
Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
If Florida State can replicate the energy, execution, and balance they showed against Stanford, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the conference.