By Bob Ferrante

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Patrick Williams had 14 points and nine rebounds, Trent Forrest also scored 14 and No. 8 Florida State beat North Carolina 65-59 on Monday.

RaiQuan Gray had 10 second-half points as the Seminoles (19-3, 9-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) moved within a win of their best-ever start in league play. Florida State opened 10-2 in ACC play in 2011-12.

Florida State has won 19 straight home games — 11 this season and the last eight in 2018-19.

Cole Anthony started in his second game back from knee surgery for UNC (10-12, 3-8). The freshman guard scored 16 points on 5-of-23 shooting and added seven rebounds. He shot 3 of 10 from 3-point range and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line.

North Carolina went 0 for 17 during a long stretch of the second half and Florida State was able to build a comfortable lead. The Tar Heels fouled to extend the game, but Florida State finished 11 of 13 from the free-throw line.

UNC senior guard Brandon Robinson, who’s averaging 13.1 points per game, did not play because of a sprained ankle. Christian Keeling, who averages 4.4 points per game, made up some of the slack by scoring 14 points.

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Without Robinson, North Carolina leaned on Anthony. The Tar Heels shot just 6 of 19 (31.6%) from 3-point range and ran out of gas in the second half.

Florida State endured an off night from Devin Vassell, who had six points. The sophomore guard scored a career-high 27 points and was 7 for 7 from 3-point range in Saturday’s win at Virginia Tech.

Up next

North Carolina: Hosts No. 7 Duke on Saturday.

Florida State: Hosts Miami on Saturday.