TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a decisive match on Tuesday night, Florida State University secured an 82-64 victory over Winthrop, thanks in large part to the standout performances of Malique Ewin and Jamir Watkins. Ewin notched an impressive 21 points while also grabbing 15 rebounds, while Watkins led all scorers with 23 points. The Seminoles improved their record to 9-3 for the season, showcasing their efficiency by shooting 51% from the field.

In addition to Ewin and Watkins, Taylor Bol Bowen contributed significantly with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Chandler Jackson also added 14 points to the tally for Florida State, which was able to maintain a solid lead throughout the game. On the other side, Winthrop’s Bryce Baker lit up the second half, hitting five three-pointers out of six attempts and scoring a career-best 18 points off the bench. However, the Eagles struggled with their shooting percentage, finishing at 29% and making only 9 out of 36 attempts from beyond the arc, which ended their five-game winning streak. Nick Johnson was another key player for Winthrop, adding 17 points to the effort.

Florida State jumped out to a significant advantage, leading by 18 points at halftime, and they continued to keep a comfortable margin throughout the second half. Watkins’s back-to-back three-pointers pushed the lead to 25 points with just six minutes left on the clock, effectively sealing the game for the Seminoles. Ewin and Watkins were pivotal in the first half, each scoring 13 points, as Florida State took charge just over five minutes into the contest. Bol Bowen was instrumental in a 12-1 run, contributing five points that ushered the team into a commanding 18-point lead as the half drew to a close, with the score at 45-27. In that first period, Florida State demonstrated their shooting prowess, hitting 60% of their shots compared to Winthrop’s paltry 27%.

On the boards, Florida State completely dominated, out-rebounding Winthrop 49-31, though they did commit 20 turnovers, an area that needs improvement. Looking ahead, Florida State is set to face off against Louisville, while Winthrop will host Mercer in their upcoming games this Saturday.