SUNRISE, Fla. -- The opening game of the Orange Bowl Classic tuned into a thrilling 64-59 comeback victory for Florida State against in-state foe Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Freshman guard Dwayne Bacon led the way for the Seminoles with a game-high 23 points as Florida State (8-2) won its fourth straight and improved to 5-0 versus the Owls.

After being down 35-23 at halftime, Seminoles point guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes nailed a 3-pointer that tied the game at 44 midway through the second half and guard Malik Beasley's dunk and one on the next possession gave Florida State a 47-45 lead for the first time since the opening minutes.

FAU rallied to the game at 56, but the Seminoles closed on an 8-3 run to seal the comeback.

The Owls fell to 2-9 on the season, and Saturday marked FAU's fourth straight loss.

Guard Marquan Botley scored 13 points, followed by center Ronald Delph with 12 for the Owls. FAU guard Jackson Trapp added 11 points and forward C.J. Turman recorded 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Florida State also got a solid game from Rathan-Mayes with 12 points and three steals, and Beasley added 11 points and 10 boards.

Seminoles center Boris Bojanovsky finished with four points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Florida State has two non-conference games left before ACC play begins Jan. 2 against Clemson. The Seminoles return home for their next game Monday against Charleston and meets rival Florida on Dec. 29.