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Rapid Reaction: FSU basketball beats Auburn
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- Rapid Reaction: FSU basketball beats Auburn
The FSU Seminoles beat the Auburn Tigers 82-71 on Wednesday in the Ballin' in Boutwell exhibition in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Seminoles led for the majority of the first half, but Auburn closed the half hot and was up 37-32 at the break as FSU's offense went ice-cold. They heated up in the second half thanks to some impressive shot-making from Kam Taylor and Shon Abaev, who combined to score 25 second-half points to lead them to victory.
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Taylor finished with a team-high 19 points, going 4-of-8 from the field and making all 10 of his free throws. Abaev had 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Marcis Ponder dominated the glass, finishing with 21 rebounds and 13 points. The 7-footer was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line and committed just one foul in 25 minutes of work.
After shooting just 27.8% of their shots in the opening half, they made 40.7% in the second half. One area they succeeded all game was at the free-throw line, where they went 34-for-40 and outscored Auburn by 24 points.
FSU's defense also stepped up in the second half, forcing 11 turnovers as Auburn made just 10 of their 35 shots (28.6%), including going 5 of 19 from deep. FSU turned Auburn's 18 turnovers into 15 points.
| 1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
|
| FSU |
32 |
50 |
82 |
| Auburn |
37 |
34 |
71 |
FSU vs Auburn live updates, analysis
Hit refresh for the latest updates from FSU 's exhibition against Auburn in the Ballin in Boutwell event in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Final: FSU beats Auburn
10:10 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
The Seminoles started the season with an 82-71 win over the Auburn Tigers in Birmingham, Alabama. FSU won the game on the free-throw line, making 34 of their 40 shots, while Auburn was 10 of 14.
Kam Taylor and Shon Abaev provided the scoring for the Seminoles, finishing with 19 and 15 points, respectively. The Seminoles shot 33.3% (21-63) from the floor. Marcis Ponder was phenomenal, finishing with 13 points and a game-high 21 rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
FSU is pulling away - FSU 72, Auburn 62
09:51 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
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FSU has taken the biggest lead of the game with a 7-0 run to go up 72-62 on Auburn with 3:40 to play. Shon Abaev and Kam Taylor have taken over in the second half, with Abaev scoring 10 points and Taylor adding 12. Marcis Ponder has continued to dominate, adding six rebounds and six points in his impressive debut.
FSU is clinging to its lead - FSU 59, Auburn 58
09:39 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
The Seminoles have held onto their second-half lead thanks to their continued success at the free-throw line. They are just 7-20 from the floor, but have made all 11 of their free throws. Both teams have made just one of their last seven shots as the defense continues to dominate the game.
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FSU retakes the lead - FSU 51, Auburn 48
09:27 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
FSU's offense has found its groove, the Seminoles have used an 8-0 run over 2:28 to take a 51-48 lead, with Marcis Ponder set to shoot two free throws after the media timeout. They are on a 13-2 run overall and have made 5 of their last seven shots, with Auburn making two of its last 10.
After a rough shooting first half, Shon Abaev has started to show the shot-making that has FSU so excited, scoring five points to lead the surge. Marcis Ponder has three more rebounds and is up to 18 rebounds and nine points.
FSU's offense continues to struggle
09:15 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
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FSU has not let Auburn make a basket in over two minutes, but they have not taken advantage and trail 43-38 with 15:48 to play. The Seminoles are 1-6 in the second half from the field, but have made all four of their free throws. Auburn is also 1-6 from the floor in the second half.
FSU trails Auburn at halftime
08:51 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
Auburn leads FSU 37-32 at halftime after heating up over the final five minutes. The Seminoles led for 14:52, but the offense was unable to withstand the late push from the Tigers. They shot 27.7% from the field and 27.3% from the 3-point line. Auburn shot 40% from the field and 34.8% from behind the three-point line.
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Marcis Ponder led FSU with seven points and 15 rebounds. Seven different Seminoles scored in teh half, with Anthony Robinson II adding seven of his own and Shon Abaev having four points, four rebounds, and three assists. The offense has struggled to get going, with them taking too many rushed or out-of-control shots.
Auburn takes the lead - Auburn 32, FSU 28
08:42 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
The Tigers went on a 6-0 run in 52 seconds and have made six of their last eight shots to take their first lead of the game with 2:50 left in the first half. Maric Ponder continues to be a problem on the interior, grabbing 14 rebounds and scoring seven points for the Seminoles.
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FSU is shooting just 9-of-34 from the field, and while some of that is due to Auburn's defense, the Seminoles are rushing some looks. They are 3-of-10 from the 3-point line.
FSU extends its lead - FSU 22, Auburn 16
08:32 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
FSU's offense settled in for a little bit, extending its lead to 22-16 with 7:51 left in the first half. They are taking advantage of Auburn's early fouls and are 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Marcis Ponder has dominated the glass, grabbing 11 rebounds in seven minutes of action. Anthony Robinson II is leading the offense with a game-high seven points.
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FSU is in a scoring drought - FSU 11, Auburn 10
08:22 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
FSU's offense is struggling to solve Auburn's defense and has not made a basket in 3:28, but still leads 11-10 with 11:55 to play in the first quarter. While some of the credit goes to the Tigers, the Seminoles have taken some poor shots and missed some open looks. They are 3-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-4 on three-pointers.
FSU's offense is struggling
08:18 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
FSU still leads 11-10 with 12:42 left in the first half, but they are struggling to make their shots. The Seminoles are 3-for-15 from the floor and have made just one of their last nine field goal attempts. They have excelled at the free-throw line, going 4-for-5. They have five offensive rebounds, but have scored just two points off them.
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FSU leads 8-5 at first media timeout
08:12 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
FSU took an early lead and has maintained it through the first media timeout, leading 8-5 with 15:36 left in the first half. Both offenses have looked sloppy, with FSU shooting 3/10 from the field and turning it over twice. Four different Seminoles have scored already, with Kam Taylor knocking down a three-pointer to lead them in scoring. Shon Abeav has two assists, and Marics Ponder has four rebounds.
FSU, Auburn announce starting lineups
07:55 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
The Seminoles and Tigers have both announced their starting five for the game. FSU is starting guards Anthony Robinson II and Kam Taylor, forwards Shon Abaev and Sebastian Rancik, and center Marcis Ponder. Auburn is going with guards Tahaad Pettiford, Kevin Overton, and Caleb Williams; forward Thomas Dowd; and center Bukky Oboye.
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Where to listen to FSU vs. Auburn
07:30 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
The game will air on the Seminole Sports Network with Jeff Culhane and Jacob Ridenhour calling the action. Locally, the game can be heard on 100.7 FM in Tallahassee, with a full radio guide available at Seminoles.com .
What channel is FSU vs. Auburn on today?
07:15 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
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TV Channel:None
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Livestream: YouTube
FSU vs. Auburn will not be televised, but will be streamed on the Hibbett YouTube page . Ryan Brown will be the play-by-play announcer, with Jim Hunaway serving as the color commentator.
FSU vs. Auburn time today
07:05 PM ET, October 14 2026, JD McCarthy
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Date:Wednesday, Oct. 14
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Start time:8 p.m. ET
The FSU vs. Auburn game starts at 8 p.m. ET at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama. FSU played in the event last year, losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 109-105 in their first exhibition of the season.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Rapid Reaction: FSU basketball beats Auburn
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