Just when you thought Florida State's season couldn't sink any lower, the Seminoles produced an abysmal first half in their first game back home.

FSU scored just 15 points in a miserable 20 minutes of basketball, shooting just 6 of 28 from the floor as Virginia Tech opened up a 20-point lead at the half and pulled away 76-66 on Wednesday night. It was statistically the worst half of basketball for FSU, which hadn't scored lower than 25 points in any first half through 20 games.

The effort increased in the second half, but FSU could only cut the deficit to six, 49-43, on Daquan Davis' fast-break layup off a Justin Thomas steal.

The Seminoles (13-8, 4-6 ACC) lost their third straight game and all of them were viewed as winnable going into the matchups. But after a two-game slide on the west coast, FSU couldn't regroup and didn't show much energy early.

What's worse is Virginia Tech came into the game having lost three straight games and was just 8-12. The loss to the Hokies is technically considered a quadrant 4 loss, and one at home. VT entered the night ranked 175th by KenPom, which means FSU has suffered a pair of sub-100 losses in eight days (Cal is 116th).

"We got outplayed," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "But more than anything else, I thought we didn't display the toughness that we have been accustomed to displaying here at Florida State in our basketball program. Virginia Tech was much more aggressive and much more physical.

"And I don't think we met their physicality. Even though we made those runs in the second half, there was energy and we got some deflections and steals, came down and made some baskets, made it respectable there for a while. But whenever you dig a hole for yourself that deep, it's challenging to get back to overcome it."

FSU had just one assist and six turnovers in the first half. Yes, FSU matched its total made field-goal attempts with turnovers in falling behind 35-15 at the half.

Taylor Bol Bowen had 10 of his 14 points in the second half as FSU cut the deficit a few times but couldn't close the gap in the final minutes. Bowen shot 6 of 7 from the floor and also had nine rebounds.

But that was a bright spot on a dreary night.

"We definitely need a mind shift," Hamilton said. "We give these guys the same information that we have been giving guys for a long, long time. We're not getting the same response."

Junior guard Chandler Jackson missed losses to California and Stanford due to a groin injury. He warmed up pregame with an elastic band, working with an FSU trainer and came off the bench about five minutes into the first half.

Jackson scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds and had two steals in 20 minutes.

FSU's star players not only struggled but also couldn't score in double figures.

Malique Ewin had one of his worst games, finishing with two points and three rebounds in 22 minutes. He was not in foul trouble, and it broke a streak of 17 straight games where he scored in double figures. Ewin was battling a cold and a headache, Hamilton said.

Jamir Watkins had nine points - on 4 of 13 shooting - with three rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes.

Jerry Deng had 13 points, shooting 3 of 8 from 3-point range.

Daquan Davis had eight points and three rebounds but he also had five turnovers, including three in the second half.

VT shot 10 of 26 from 3-point range. You know the drill and opposing coaches know it even better — the way to attack FSU's defense in the half-court set is to make passes and take high-percentage 3s. Jaydon Young made 3 of 4, while Jaden Schutt connected on 3 of 9 from beyond the arc.

FSU will play at Boston College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Seminoles return home to play Notre Dame on Feb. 4.

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