Florida State University Athletics
Florida State
Valdosta State University
Watkins' Double-Double Leads Seminoles past Valdosta State, 90-67
11/5/2023 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jamir Watkins scored 19 points, led Florida State in scoring for the second straight game and finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Seminoles defeated Valdosta State, 90-67, at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Baba Miller and Cam'Ron Fletcher also had impressive games as both scoring 12 points. Freshman Taylor Bol Bowen scored nine points and pulled down three rebounds in the victory.
The Seminole's win over the visiting Blazers was the second of two exhibition games, with their regular season opener coming this Friday, November 10th against Kennesaw State at 6:00 p.m.
"I have the team play these exhibition games as opposed to closed scrimmages because once we have the team play out in public it has them get over the little anxiety that occurs at the start of the season," said Seminole Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.
Watkins was very influential in the Seminoles' two exhibition wins, totaling 37 points. He also led the Seminoles with six steals and six assists against Valdosta. Watkins was a starter in both of Florida State's exhibition games.
"Jamir showed that he is capable when given the responsibility and responding quickly," said Hamilton.
Bol Bowen had his best performance yet with nine points. He totaled three rebounds, and two steals, in 15 minutes of playing time.
Miller was tied for the second-leading scorer for the Seminoles with 12 points. He had a successful shooting game with two 3-point shots, along with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Fletcher tied Miller as the second-leading scorer, also with 12 points. He made one 3-pointer and his only free throw attempt.
Florida State had a strong second-half performance, starting off with a 3-pointer by Miller and scoring 54 of their 90 points after intermission. The Seminoles limited Valdosta to 38 second half points and 44 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes. The Seminoles forced 21 second-half turnovers – and 27 total for the game. Florida State totaled 29 points off of turnovers during the game.
"We have a statistic that we measure called a "kill" and we had nine kill stops," said Hamilton. "That is nine possessions where we held them scoreless for three stops"
The Seminoles scored 40 bench points as Hamilton played 16 players during the game. Florida State shot 50.6 percent for the game from the field.
"We still have a lot of room for growth, but I think this will be one of our better perimeter shooting teams," said Hamilton.
Blazers graduate guard Lateral Tate led the team in scoring with 15 points.
