Florida State Holds Off Cal 63-61 in Tight Matchup

Seminoles build big first-half lead but have to fend off late Golden Bears rally

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:55pm

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In a close game between Florida State and California, the Seminoles built a 15-point lead early in the second half before the Golden Bears mounted a 15-6 run to briefly take the lead. However, Florida State held on for a 63-61 victory, led by 18 points from Chauncey Wiggins.

Why it matters

This was an important non-conference matchup between two teams looking to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. Florida State was able to hold off a late Cal comeback to secure the narrow victory at home.

The details

Florida State jumped out to a 36-23 halftime lead after closing the first half on an 18-4 run. Chauncey Wiggins was hot for the Seminoles, making 5-of-5 shots with three 3-pointers before the break. Cal's Chris Bell kept the Golden Bears in it with 10 first-half points. The Seminoles extended their lead to 15 early in the second half, but Cal fought back with a 15-6 run to take a brief 59-58 lead with under 4 minutes left. However, Wiggins hit a key jumper to put Florida State back in front, and the Seminoles held on for the 63-61 win.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.

The players

Chauncey Wiggins

A Florida State player who scored a team-high 18 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field with three 3-pointers.

Justin Pippen

A California player who led all scorers with 19 points, including four 3-pointers.

Chris Bell

A California player who scored 13 points and was 4-of-5 shooting in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“It was a hard-fought game and we're glad to come away with the win. Our guys showed a lot of toughness to hold off Cal's late rally.”

— Leonard Hamilton, Florida State Head Coach

What’s next

Florida State will look to build on this win as they continue ACC play, while California will try to regroup before their next non-conference matchup.

The takeaway

This was an exciting back-and-forth game that showcased the competitiveness of both teams. Florida State was able to make the key plays down the stretch to secure the narrow victory over a tough California squad.