TALLAHASSEE — P.J. Savoy scored 20 points, making five 3-pointers, and Trent Forrest added 13 points as No. 17 Florida State opened the season with an 81-60 victory over Florida on Tuesday.

Terance Mann had nine points and a team-high nine rebounds for the Seminoles, who shot 11 of 20 from 3-point range and beat Florida for a fifth straight time. They led 31-20 at the half and never looked back, using an aggressive defense to stifle the Gators.

Florida State nearly secured the most lopsided victory in a rivalry that dates to 1951. The largest prior rout for the Seminoles was an 88-63 win in December 1969.

Deaundrae Ballard scored 13 points off the bench and heralded freshman Andrew Nembhard had 12 points for Florida, which shot just 19 of 53 from the floor. The Gators went 6 of 24 on 3-point attempts.

Florida had won 27 straight season openers but was outmatched from the start Tuesday. The Gators trailed by double digits the majority of the game.

Florida State shot 23 of 48 from the floor.

BIG PICTURE

Florida: The Gators never found an offensive rhythm early, committing eight turnovers and scoring just 20 first-half points on 6 of 25 shooting (24 percent). Hudson (eight points) and Nembhard (six points) provided the majority of the early scoring. Florida needs to find more consistent scoring from multiple starters.

Florida State: The Seminoles played four guards most of the night as they began the season without star forward Phil Cofer, who led the team with 12.8 points per game last season but is out indefinitely with a foot injury. Every other scholarship player scored as Florida State emptied the bench in the rout.

UP NEXT

The Gators look to pick up their first win when they play host to Charleston Southern on Friday.

The Seminoles play at Tulane on Sunday.