Patrick Williams scored 17 points and MJ Walker added 16 as No. 8 Florida State rebounded from Monday's loss at Duke with a narrow 80-77 victory on Saturday against Syracuse at Tallahassee, Fla.

The Seminoles (21-4, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) played without leading scorer Devin Vassell. The school offered no explanation why Vassell didn't play.

Syracuse (14-11, 7-7) was led by Elijah Hughes with 25 points, followed by 22 points from Joseph Girard III. The Orange's other double-figure scorer was Quincy Guerrier with 13 points. Girard led the way with seven rebounds.

The Orange lost their second straight game and fourth in their last five outings.

With just under six minutes remaining in the game, Girard scored five straight points to give the Orange a 62-59 lead.

The Orange held the lead for the next 3 1/2 minutes, but Walker hit a huge 3-pointer -- then was fouled -- and he added the free throw to pull the Seminoles back ahead 70-69 with 2:36 left in the game.

The Orange trailed 78-75 before Hughes sank a driving layup to pull the Orange within a point. Syracuse fouled and Trent Forrest hit both free throws to push it to 80-77 with eight seconds remaining. Hughes' last-ditch 3-point attempt rimmed out and the Seminoles held on.

Florida State went to halftime on a 12-4 run in the final two minutes to seize a 41-33 lead heading into intermission. Walker and Williams led the way for the Seminoles at intermission with nine points each. Girard led all scorers with 14 points.

Florida State's Forrest finished with 13 points and forward RaiQuan Gray had a team-high 10 rebounds.

The Seminoles will host Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Seminoles opened the season on Nov. 6 against the Panthers and lost 63-61.

Syracuse faces No. 5 Louisville on Wednesday.

--Field Level Media