National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida State 74, Miami-Florida 66
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Where: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Florida
Officials: # Lamar Simpson, # Bill Covington Jr., # Justin Porterfield
Attendance: 7565

Malique Ewin scored a career-high 24 points and shot 10 for 10 from the field to lead host Florida State over rival Miami 74-66 on Wednesday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Seminoles (16-10, 7-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) won for the third time in their past four games and bounced back following a lopsided loss at then-No. 23 Clemson.

The Hurricanes (6-20, 2-13) lost for the third time in their past four games as Florida State swept the season series for the second consecutive season, extending their winning streak in the series to five.

AJ Swinton's 3-pointer with 9:20 left broke a 45-45 tie and put the Seminoles ahead for good in a game that had seven lead changes and eight ties. Miami led by as many as six in the first half.

The Hurricanes kept the game relatively close until Florida State pulled away over the final 56 seconds thanks to clutch free throw shooting. The Seminoles' defensive effort down the stretch helped seal the victory as they finished with 12 steals and five blocks.

Jamir Watkins had a poor shooting night from the field, making only 2-of-12 attempts, but made up for it at the foul line where he made 11 of 14. He finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Chandler Jackson hit a pair of free throws in the final minute and finished with 11 points.

The game marked the final time that Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton faced his former team before he steps down at the end of the season. Hamilton coached at Miami from 1990-2000 and led the Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances before a brief NBA coaching stint was followed by his arrival at Florida State.

Miami's Matthew Cleveland, who played his final game against his former school, finished with 14 points despite 3-for-14 shooting from the field. Lynn Kidd also scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Miami-Florida   Florida State
Matthew Cleveland 14 Scoring Malique Ewin 24
Divine Ugochukwu 6 Assists Chandler Jackson 3
Lynn Kidd 11 Rebounds Jamir Watkins 8
Matthew Cleveland 7 Free Throws Made Jamir Watkins 11
Divine Ugochukwu 3 Steals Malique Ewin 3
Matthew Cleveland 1 Blocks Taylor Bol Bowen 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Miami-Florida 66 41.7 4-19 12-14 17 32 2 8 16
Florida State 74 45.5 5-22 19-29 12 31 5 12 13