CORAL GABLES, Fla.- FSU was able to hold off a strong Miami comeback with a 84-75 rivalry win.
Miami was looking to get things rolling again after a suspect start to the month of January. On the other hand, FSU has started off the new year hot winning their first four games of January.
From the start, the Watsco Center was loud as can be for a rivalry game. The stands were full of fans from both schools and trash talking was prominent.
The first half saw the Seminoles dominate in the paint with 30 points compared to Miami’s 20. FSU forward Cameron Corhen started off the game hot, going 5-5 from the field scoring 11 points. Their defense in the first half was also outstanding as they held Miami to 13-30 from the field and a whopping 2-14 from three. The Noles also executed great team basketball as they ended the first half with 11 assists. Five of those came from starting FSU guard Jalen Warley. The biggest lead of the half came when Corhen made a second chance dunk to give the Seminoles a 43-28 15 point cushion. The bench for FSU stepped up mightily, scoring 27 of the teams 45 points in the first.
The Seminoles started the second half on a 6-0 run and led 53-37 when starting forward Jamir Watkins scored off a Miami turnover. The Hurricanes would cut the lead to single digits when Bensley Joseph hit both free throws to make it 55-47 with 14:36 to go. By the 11:19 mark, Miami fought back to diminish the lead all the way down to two when starting guard Nijel Pack hit a huge three to make it 59-57. During that stretch, Miami was a perfect 6-6 from the field. One of the keys for Miami to get back in this game was their ability to get out in transition. Pack had it going all second half with 13 points and three huge three pointers.
“I was only worried about winning the game, what happened last year I didn’t think one minute about. I knew we were up two and we had to figure out a way how to win the game. In the ACC 70% of the games are decided by four points or less, so that’s just the way it is in our league,” said Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton.
The second half continued to be an absolute thriller. Both teams traded blows and kept it close throughout the remainder of the game. Ultimately, Miami’s comeback wasn’t enough. After Miami was within striking distance with the score 79-75 with 2:28 to go, they were never able to capitalize. The Seminoles ended the game with 12 steals and 16 points off of turnovers. Four Seminoles scored double digits: F De’ante Green, F Jamir Watkins, F Cameron Cohen, and G Primo Spears. They were able to use their size to score 21 second chance points.
“Their size just bothers us, their so long and athletic. Anytime we were not able to put a lot of pressure on them they threw it to the rim and laid it in or dunked it,” Miami head coach Jim Larranaga said after the game.
FLIP THE U DOWN!!
FSU TAKES DOWN THE CANES IN MIAMI 😱🍢 pic.twitter.com/1SHw8TuKBo
— FL Teams (@FLTeams) January 18, 2024