Florida State University Athletics
Tuesday, November 19
Tallahassee, Fla.
7:00 p.m.
Florida State
4-1,0-0ACC
79
vs
61
Hofstra University
4-1,0-0CAA
1
2
F
Hofstra
23
38
61
Florida St.
32
47
79
Watkins, Ewin, And Bol Bowen Lead Florida State Past Hofstra, 79-61
11/19/2024 10:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State scored the first eight points of the game, never trailed, and upped its record to 4-1 with a 79-61 victory over previously undefeated Hofstra at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Jamir Watkins led three Seminoles in double figure scoring with 17 points and tied for the team lead with junior Malique Ewin with six rebounds each. The Seminoles led for all but 22 seconds of the game in the first half (when the game was tied), and led by as many as 21 points late in the second half.
In addition to Watkins' 17 points, Ewin scored his career-high of 13 points and sophomore Taylor Bol Bowen totaled 10. Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton utilized his available roster of 15 players with 10 scoring at least three points and nine pulling down at least one rebound.
"You didn't get a chance to see their (Hofstra's) skills and their real strength because I thought our players did a real good job tonight," said Hamilton. "Especially with Justin Thomas; his defense is excellent. He can really defend."
Defensively, the Seminoles outrebounded the Pride by a 31-27 margin, earned 14 steals, forced Hofstra into 20 turnovers (and scored 23 points off of those turnovers), and limited the visitors to just four second chance points. Florida State limited Hofstra to just five offensive rebounds.
The Seminoles never trailed and held Hofstra scoreless for the first 4:07 of the game. Florida State scored the first eight points of the game on two field goals by junior Chandler Jackson, one by Bol Bowen, and one by Ewin. Hofstra's first field goal by Michael Graham came at the 15:53 mark.
Watkins scored his game-high 17 points in a variety of ways. He made five field goals, two 3-point field goals, and was a perfect five of five from the free throw line. He also added six rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 27 minutes of playing time.
Ewin had a standout game as he reached a career high in points, scoring double-figures with 13 points as he finished the game as Florida State's second-leading scorer. He also earned a career-high three steals, surpassing his previous high of two which came in the Seminoles' victory over Rice on November 9 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
"Malique settled down a little bit, showing you a little bit more what he's capable of doing," said Hamilton.
Teamwork and sharing the ball were contributors to Florida State's success as the Seminoles made a season-high nine 3-point shots.
"We shot the ball a lot better from the free throw line tonight, which I think has been missing," said Hamilton.
Hofstra was led by sophomore guard Jean Aranguren with 14 points. Jaquan Sanders and KiJan Robinson scored 13 points each.
"I've known Coach Ham for quite a quite a bit now," said Pride head coach Speedy Claxton. "When I played with the 76ers and started my rookie year, he was actually at training camp, so I got to meet him and built a friendship from there. I saw him earlier today, after our shoot around, and I got to talk to him for a little bit."
The Seminoles were joined courtside by alumni Robert Gilchrist and Okaro White.
The Seminoles head to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, to participate in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off. The Seminoles face Temple on Friday, November 22, at 5:00 p.m. and the Minutemen of UMass on Sunday, November 24, at 3:30 p.m.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
In addition to Watkins' 17 points, Ewin scored his career-high of 13 points and sophomore Taylor Bol Bowen totaled 10. Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton utilized his available roster of 15 players with 10 scoring at least three points and nine pulling down at least one rebound.
"You didn't get a chance to see their (Hofstra's) skills and their real strength because I thought our players did a real good job tonight," said Hamilton. "Especially with Justin Thomas; his defense is excellent. He can really defend."
Defensively, the Seminoles outrebounded the Pride by a 31-27 margin, earned 14 steals, forced Hofstra into 20 turnovers (and scored 23 points off of those turnovers), and limited the visitors to just four second chance points. Florida State limited Hofstra to just five offensive rebounds.
The Seminoles never trailed and held Hofstra scoreless for the first 4:07 of the game. Florida State scored the first eight points of the game on two field goals by junior Chandler Jackson, one by Bol Bowen, and one by Ewin. Hofstra's first field goal by Michael Graham came at the 15:53 mark.
Watkins scored his game-high 17 points in a variety of ways. He made five field goals, two 3-point field goals, and was a perfect five of five from the free throw line. He also added six rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 27 minutes of playing time.
Ewin had a standout game as he reached a career high in points, scoring double-figures with 13 points as he finished the game as Florida State's second-leading scorer. He also earned a career-high three steals, surpassing his previous high of two which came in the Seminoles' victory over Rice on November 9 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
"Malique settled down a little bit, showing you a little bit more what he's capable of doing," said Hamilton.
Teamwork and sharing the ball were contributors to Florida State's success as the Seminoles made a season-high nine 3-point shots.
"We shot the ball a lot better from the free throw line tonight, which I think has been missing," said Hamilton.
Hofstra was led by sophomore guard Jean Aranguren with 14 points. Jaquan Sanders and KiJan Robinson scored 13 points each.
"I've known Coach Ham for quite a quite a bit now," said Pride head coach Speedy Claxton. "When I played with the 76ers and started my rookie year, he was actually at training camp, so I got to meet him and built a friendship from there. I saw him earlier today, after our shoot around, and I got to talk to him for a little bit."
The Seminoles were joined courtside by alumni Robert Gilchrist and Okaro White.
The Seminoles head to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, to participate in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off. The Seminoles face Temple on Friday, November 22, at 5:00 p.m. and the Minutemen of UMass on Sunday, November 24, at 3:30 p.m.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
Team Stats
Hof
FSU
FG%
.480
.456
3FG%
.333
.346
FT%
.714
.783
RB
27
31
TO
20
12
STL
2
14
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
Forward
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/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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