TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Georgia Southern (3-3) men's basketball couldn't hold off a scorching Florida State (4-1) offense Friday night, falling to 98-72 at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

Florida State guard Lajae Jones led all scorers with 36 points, knocking down 10 three-pointers, tying a Seminoles school record for three-pointers in a game. The Noles shot 17-of-49 from beyond the arc and 31-of-71 from the field.

Georgia Southern trailed 40-29 at halftime before Florida State pushed the margin with a 58-point second half. The Eagles were paced by Shainen Carter, who scored 14 points and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Nakavieon White added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Tyren Moore scored eight with two three-pointers.

The Eagles stayed within reach early, pulling as close as 11-9 on a White three-pointer with 13:45 left in the first half, but Florida State responded with a series of runs sparked by Jones' outside shooting. The Seminoles finished with 23 assists, forced 17 turnovers, and out-rebounded Gerogia Southern 46-39.

Tsvet Sotirov grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, and Alden Applewhite contributed six points and six boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Florida State opened the scoring on Friday evening, opening on a 9-0 run before Tyren Moore knocked down a three.
• The Eagles cut the lead to within one point just before the under-eight-minute media timeout, as Nakavieon White came off the bench and gave Georgia Southern six quick points, 22-21.
• At the break, Florida State held the Eagles scoreless for the final 2:34 of the half, extending its lead to 40-29. 
• To begin the second half, the Seminoles poured in six three-pointers, half of their 12 field goals, to extend their lead to 74-56.

UP NEXT

• Georgia Southern men's basketball continues its four-game road stretch on Monday evening, as the Eagles take on Youngstown State at 6:30 p.m. from Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida.