TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In an electrifying game on Wednesday night, Jamir Watkins led Florida State to an 82-70 victory over Pittsburgh, scoring a remarkable 26 points. Malique Ewin played a crucial role as well, netting 10 of his 18 points within the initial four minutes of the second half, contributing to a game-changing 10-0 scoring spree that set the pace for the Seminoles.

The first half saw a struggle with shooting efficiency from both squads, resulting in Florida State holding a slim 28-23 advantage at halftime. However, they turned the tide by making 10 of their first 14 shots after the break, which culminated in a dunk by Justin Thomas at the 13:20 mark, doubling their lead to 49-35.

Further extending their lead, Thomas and Daquan Davis connected on back-to-back three-pointers, bringing Florida State to a commanding 55-39 lead midway through the second half. Pittsburgh attempted to rally back, with Jorge Diaz Graham sinking two consecutive three-point shots as part of an eight-point run. Despite their efforts, Florida State managed to sink 17 of their 20 free throw attempts in the final six minutes, maintaining a cushion that Pittsburgh could not overcome, with their closest approach being within five points.

Towards the end of the game, Florida State exemplified their poise by hitting 9 of 10 free throws during the last two minutes. Both Watkins and Ewin capped off the game with dunks after breaking through Pittsburgh’s press. In addition to Watkins’ impressive performance, Chandler Jackson added 13 points for the Seminoles (12-5, 3-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) while Davis contributed 11; Ewin also recorded an impressive 13 rebounds.

On the opposing side, Jaland Lowe led the Panthers (12-5, 3-3) with a notable 22 points. Diaz Graham achieved a career-best with 17 points and Ishmael Leggett chipped in 13. Florida State showcased their offensive efficiency in the second half, shooting an impressive 59% (16 of 27) from the floor and converting 20 of 24 foul shots.

Watkins had a productive first half, scoring 11 points including three 3-pointers while the teams together managed just 14-of-51 shooting, alongside 24 turnovers. Up next, Florida State will host Georgia Tech on Saturday, followed by a matchup against Clemson later in the season.