SUNRISE, Fla. — In a decisive win, Jamir Watkins delivered a standout performance by sinking a personal-best 19 free throws out of 23 attempts, culminating in a total of 29 points. This effort helped Florida State overcome a two-game losing streak, defeating Tulane 77-64 in the final game of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic held in Sunrise, Florida.

The match started with Tulane quickly establishing a 6-0 lead, thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers by Kaleb Banks and Rowan Brumbaugh. However, Florida State responded emphatically with a dominating 21-2 run, ultimately leading 37-22 at halftime. The Seminoles put pressure on the Green Wave with their defense, forcing seven turnovers in the first half and adding 11 fast break points.

With just over 12 minutes remaining, Christian Nitu hit a jumper to extend Florida State’s lead to 55-36. Tulane attempted to rally back, cutting the deficit to within 10 points after Banks converted a three-point play with 1:29 left on the clock. However, the Green Wave couldn’t bridge the gap to single digits. In the final eight minutes, Watkins frequently found himself at the free-throw line, successfully making 10 out of 12 attempts to maintain the lead.

Watkins showcased his versatility, going 4 of 8 from the field, including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc. He also contributed five assists, a steal, and a blocked shot to his team’s efforts. Jerry Deng chipped in with 13 points, while both Malique Ewin and Justin Thomas added 10 points each to the scoreboard.

On the opposing side, Banks, who transferred from Indiana, displayed impressive stats by scoring 33 points and grabbing 16 rebounds—both represent career highs for him. Brumbaugh assisted the Green Wave by contributing 15 points during the game.