Florida State was desperate for a win—and they got it in dramatic fashion. Just days after a brutal collapse and with the news of Leonard Hamilton’s last season in Tallahassee still fresh, the Seminoles (14-9, 5-7) clawed their way to a gritty 67-60 victory over Notre Dame (10-12, 4-7). Despite a 25-point performance from Markus Burton, the Irish couldn’t handle the late-game firepower from FSU, led by Jamir Watkins’ 21 points and Malique Ewin’s double-double performance.
First Half: A Battle of Runs and Grit
The game kicked off with both teams trading shots, and a 5-5 tie just three minutes in. Freshman Daquan Davis, finding his groove, scored all of Florida State’s early points, but the Seminoles hit a cold streak, allowing Notre Dame to go on a 12-2 run. Yet, unlike earlier games where such runs would send FSU into a tailspin, this time Jamir Watkins took control, sinking a crucial jumper to stop the bleeding. What followed was a dominating 18-0 Seminole run, highlighted by aggressive defense, fast breaks, and offensive rebounds. At the half, FSU held a narrow 29-28 lead after Notre Dame’s own 9-0 closing run.
Second Half: The ‘Noles Fight to the Finish
Coming out of the locker room, Malique Ewin set the tone, scoring on FSU’s first two possessions. But Notre Dame didn’t back down, battling back to tie the game at 34. That’s when Watkins took over, sinking three straight threes in a flash, sparking FSU back into the lead. However, the Irish weren’t done, responding with a 9-0 run to reclaim a 46-45 lead. The game grew uglier with both teams running on fumes, but Florida State found a way to grind out a small lead thanks to strong play from Ewin on the boards.
As the game neared its conclusion, FSU held a slim 56-51
