Watkins, Ewin Lead Seminoles Past St. Leo, 87-64, in Exhibition Game

TALLAHASSEE- The first look at the 2024-25 Seminoles Basketball team proved successful as newcomer Malique Ewin scored 19 points and star guard Jamir Watkins added 18 points to lead Florida State to an 87-64 victory over Saint Leo at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Each of Florida State's 16 players earned playing time, with 12 playing at least 10 minutes and 12 writing their names in the scoring column.

The victory ranks as the first of two exhibition games for the Seminoles who play host to West Florida on October 31 with a special start time of 3:00 p.m.

The Seminoles established a dominance from the opening tip with Watkins scoring the first points of the season from outside the arc. Watkins led the Seminoles in the first half with 13 points, three assists, and one steal as the home team built a 43-31 halftime lead.

"From an athletic standpoint, we have more athletes, we have more momentum," said Seminole Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. "We've made tremendous improvement in some areas like ball movement, and we have tremendous perimeter shooters."

Ewin showcased why he was the number one ranked player and center in the junior college rankings during the 2023-24 season. In leading the Seminoles with 19 points he was a perfect eight of eight from the field with a team-leading five rebounds, and several thunderous dunks most of which came as he ran rim to rim to lead the Seminoles' fastbreak.

"Malique is a special talent. He can shoot, one of the strongest skills, he can pass, and makes good decisions with the basketball," said Hamilton.

The Seminoles' desire to share the basketball resulted in a first half lead by 12 points and a lead by that much at the half. The Seminoles had eight different players score, 10 different players grab at least one rebound, and seven different players earn at least one assist in the first 20 minutes.

Florida State capitalized on many of the Lions' mistakes as it scored 22 points directly from St. Leo's 14 turnovers, and pulled down 32 rebounds.

Newcomer Bostyn Holt added another threat for the Seminoles, as he totaled four assists against only one turnover in 21 minutes played as a starter.

The second half was all Florida State, with 20 of its 44 points coming from the bench and a team field goal percentage of better than 60 percent (17 of 28). The Seminoles made eight of 10 free throws in the second half and finished at better than 75 percent from the line for the games (13 of 17).

The Lions were led by Logan Ryan, who scored 17 points, to lead three Lion players in double figure scoring. Also in double figures were Shunta Williams with 12 points and Eric Jones with 10.

"Coming out of this game saying we have potential, and I am satisfied with that," said Hamilton. "We just need to keep getting better."

Watkins, Ewin Lead Seminoles Past St. Leo, 87-64, in Exhibition Game

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Players Mentioned

Malique Ewin

Bostyn Holt

Jamir Watkins

Florida State University Athletics