The Seminoles' skid continues, this time against the Orange.
Florida State exploded out the gate in taking an 11-3 lead after the opening tip.
Syracuse, however, forced that early spark to dissipate.
The Orange avoided the potential upset against the Seminoles by winning 94-86 on Tuesday night inside the JMA Wireless Dome. And dialed from long range to ignite the early comeback charge.
Robert McCray V got the scoring going for FSU by getting the evening's first layup. McCray followed that up by banking a 27-foot three-pointer to make it 5-3.
That started an early 9-0 run for the 'Noles. Thomas Bassong and Chauncey Wiggins added to the scoring charge -- the latter through a 29-foot three-pointer.
Florida State led by five for most of the first half, yet eventually lost its 35-30 lead. Alex Steen ended the half by throwing down a dunk at the 0.3 seconds mark.
Syracuse opened the second half by jumping on a 7-0 run -- fueled by Williams Kyle III slamming down on dunk and another off an alley oop. Kobe McGee's driving layup broke up that Syracuse run. He later made three straight free throws after taking a foul behind the arc.
Florida State kept the game close throughout the evening. The 'Noles even erased a late 10-point deficit after being down 57-47. Martin Somerville hit a 25-foot three-pointer that sliced the lead to 57-52. McGee then got a layup in and hit a free throw. Lajae Jones then hit a three-pointer that scaled past 24-feet to make it 60-58 in favor of the Orange. Somerville tied it up in nailing a 25-foot three.
FSU retook the lead late -- off Jones getting a tip in inside the hoop to make it 65-64. McCray increased it to 67-64 through his driving layup. But FSU's last lead was 69-68 at the 9:47 mark of the second half.
The Orange responded with an 8-0 run that eventually helped swing the tide back to Syracuse. McGee scored 20 points to lead the 'Noles. Somerville added 18 points off the bench. McCray V finished with 14 points. Jones chipped in with 13 points. Steen ended the night scoring eight points.
FSU remains winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play at 0-4.
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