Florida State 63, Stetson 59: Montay Brandon scored 17 points as the Seminoles closed out their pre-Christmas schedule with a win over the visiting Hatters.

Freshman Xavier Rathan-Mayes added 14 points and seven assists for Florida State (7-5), which notched its third straight win. The Seminoles, who also received eight points from reserve Kiel Turpin and seven points and a team-high eight rebounds from Phil Cofer, survived a 2-of-11 performance from 3-point range and 16 turnovers.

Kentwan Smith had a game-high 21 points and added seven rebounds and four assists for Stetson (3-10), which fell to 0-7 on the road. Angel Rivera added 13 points, and Kyle Sikora finished with 11 to go along with 11 rebounds for the Hatters, who also had 16 turnovers and were off-target (7-of-27) from behind the 3-point arc.

Stetson was within 40-38 following Rivera’s 3-pointer with 12:22 remaining, but Brandon scored six points during an 8-0 run as Florida State pushed the lead into double digits for the first time. The Hatters cut the deficit to 54-52 with just under three minutes to play, but the Seminoles immediately countered with Brandon's dunk, and a jumper and two free throws from Rathan-Mayes to pull away for good.

It was a tight, low-scoring first half as Florida State took a 29-26 lead into the break after closing out the period with a 6-0 run. Stetson outrebounded the hosts 20-13, including 8-2 on the offensive glass, but hit only 10-of-29 shots and had 10 turnovers in the opening half.

GAME NOTEBOOK: It was the 18th straight win in the in-state series for Florida State, which hasn’t lost to Stetson since 1975. … The Seminoles, who matched a school record by blocking 15 shots in their previous game, had six against the Hatters. … Stetson coach Corey Williams was back in Tallahassee where he served as a Florida State assistant under Leonard Hamilton for six seasons.