The script continues to play out for Florida State in the early part of the season: pull away from inferior competition.

The Seminoles did it again Tuesday night, building a 17-point halftime lead and never looking back in an 79-55 home victory over Mercer.

Xavier Gibson scored 17 points to lead the Seminoles (5-0), who have won their first five games by an average of 23.2 points.

The Seminoles broke open the game during the final 6:26 of the first half, going on a 15-5 run to build a 39-22 halftime advantage. Derwin Kitchen scored seven of the Florida State points during the run, and finished with 16 points.

Mercer (1-3) briefly cut the lead to 39-26 on Jeff Smith’s basket 25 seconds into the second half. But the Seminoles scored 12 of the next 14 points, Deividas Dulkys starting the run with two baskets, including a 3-pointer.

Chris Singleton finished with a double-double for Florida State, scoring 10 points to go with a game-high 13 rebounds. Both Singleton and Bernard James blocked four shots.

Brandon Moore led the Bears with 14 points.

The schedule now gets more difficult for the Seminoles, as Florida State plays home to No. 14 Florida on Sunday, followed by a home game Tuesday against No. 3 Ohio State. Mercer continues a three-game road trip on Friday against Western Carolina.