NOTRE DAME, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering start and a furious, desperate finish, Florida State built a massive early lead and then survived a second-half onslaught from Notre Dame to escape with an 82-79 victory in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball on Saturday at a sold-out Joyce Athletic Center.

The Seminoles, who led by as many as 23 points in the first half, saw that commanding advantage evaporate completely in the final minutes before making just enough plays in a chaotic final sequence to snap a two-game road skid. The win lifted Florida State to an even 11-12 overall, while Notre Dame fell to 11-13.

The story of the game was written in two starkly different halves. Florida State came out scorching from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of its 15 three-pointers before halftime. That barrage, combined with a stifling defensive effort that forced the Fighting Irish into 11 total turnovers, fueled a 41-32 lead at the break that felt even more dominant for much of the period.

Chauncey Wiggins was the catalyst for the Seminoles’ early explosion. The 6-foot-10 forward from Atlanta scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the first half, connecting on four three-pointers during Florida State’s initial surge. His back-to-back threes, followed by one from Robert McCray V, sparked a 13-0 run that gave the Seminoles a 20-2 lead less than five minutes into the game. Notre Dame, plagued by cold shooting and uncharacteristic mistakes, didn’t reach double figures until the 11:37 mark.

The second half, however, was a complete reversal. Notre Dame, led by the determined play of Braeden Shrewsberry and Jalen Haralson, chipped away with relentless effort. Shrewsberry, a Granger, Indiana native, scored 16 of his 18 points after halftime, while Haralson ignited the comeback by attacking the rim, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the second period. The Fighting Irish shot 47% from the floor after halftime and began dominating the paint, eventually outscoring Florida State 28-20 in that category.

The Seminoles’ offense, so fluid in the first half, grew stagnant. They managed only 41 points again in the second half but did so on 9-of-31 shooting, relying heavily on free throws to maintain a dwindling lead. Notre Dame’s comeback bid peaked when a Logan Imes turnaround jumper tied the game at 70 with just under three minutes to play, capping a remarkable rally from a 23-point first-half deficit.

In the tense final minutes, the game became a battle of execution and poise. After Haralson gave Notre Dame its first lead since 2-0 with a powerful dunk to make it 72-70, Florida State responded immediately. McCray was fouled on the ensuing possession and calmly sank two free throws to retie the game. Following a missed three by Shrewsberry, Martin Somerville found Wiggins for a clutch three-pointer from the wing, putting the Seminoles back ahead 75-72 with 1:52 remaining.

Notre Dame had chances in the final minute. Down 79-77, the Fighting Irish forced a turnover and had a look to tie or take the lead, but a contested three-point attempt from Cole Certa missed. Florida State’s AJ Swinton secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. Swinton made the first free throw but missed the second, leaving the door open at 80-77 with 17 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, Notre Dame’s Sir Mohammed was fouled on a drive and went to the line for two shots with a chance to cut the deficit to one. He made the first but crucially missed the second. Florida State’s Lajae Jones secured the defensive board and was fouled, sinking both free throws to extend the lead to 82-78 with nine seconds left. A final free throw by Shrewsberry provided the final margin, and a last-second heave by Certa was off target as time expired.

Beyond Wiggins’ 22 points, Florida State had balanced contributions. McCray finished with 15 points, while Jones added 11 and Somerville orchestrated the offense with a team-high six assists. Alex Steen provided critical energy off the bench with 10 points and several key defensive plays. For Notre Dame, Shrewsberry’s 18 points and four assists led the way, supported by Haralson’s 15 and 11 points each from Mohammed and Imes.

The statistical disparity told the tale of Florida State’s early work and Notre Dame’s struggles. The Seminoles committed only four turnovers, leading to a 14-7 advantage in points off those mistakes. Their 15 made three-pointers, against 10 for Notre Dame, proved to be the ultimate difference on a afternoon where both teams shot nearly identical percentages from the floor.

Florida State returns home to host Virginia on Tuesday afternoon, while Notre Dame travels to face SMU on the same evening.