Florida State University Athletics
Watkins Finishes With Double-Double; Seminoles Fall To Syracuse, 66-62, In ACC Tournament
3/12/2025 12:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Syracuse guard JJ Starling scored a game-high 27 points and the Orange held off Florida State by a 66-62 margin in the first round of the ACC Tournament at the Spectrum Center. The Seminoles outscored the Orange by an 18-12 margin in the final 6:14 of the game and got within one point with under 10 seconds remaining in the game but fell in the final game of head coach Leonard Hamilton's historic coaching career.
Florida State is now 17-15 overall after finishing in a tie for ninth place in the ACC standings with an 8-12 record. The Orange are now 14-18 and will face SMU in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.
As Hamilton was interviewed on the court after the final buzzer, he spoke of his Hall of Fame career in a few powerful words.
"I've been blessed to have an opportunity not many people have had," said Hamilton. "I've been blessed and enjoyed the ride, and now it is time to move on to the next chapter."
Jamir Watkins scored a double-double of 16 points and a career-high tying 11 rebounds in his final game in a Florida State uniform. He totaled 11 points and five rebounds in the second half as he worked to lead Florida State back from a 16-point deficit. Watkins led the Seminoles with three assists and tied for the team lead with Daquan Davis as the two guards earned two steals each.
Watkins was one of three Seminoles who finished in double-figure scoring as Jerry Deng and Davis scored 10 points each. Deng totaled two 3-point shots while Davis made six of eight free throws.
Syracuse took a one-point lead (5-4) at the 18:09 mark of the first half on a basket by Jyare Davis and never allowed the Seminoles to move back into the lead. The Orange led by as many as nine points in the first half and were ahead by a 30-26 margin at the half.
Syracuse scored six of the first eight points of the second half and led 36-28 just two minutes into the second half.
Syracuse found themselves with a 16-point lead in the second half at 50-34 at the 13:15 mark.
The Seminoles' mounted a comeback midway through the second half after falling behind by 16 points.
Florida State earned a 10-0 run in the second half, starting at the 12:15 mark with a made free-throw from Davis, a layup by AJ Swinton, a layup by Watkins, a jumper by Justin Thomas, and a made free throw from Watkins.
Watkins made eight of 11 free throws during the game.
The Seminoles cut Syracuse's lead from 16 to five at the 2:31 mark with a layup from Thomas. They would close the gap to just one point with nine seconds remaining with a second-chance layup from Malique Ewin.
Syracuse scored four of the last five points – all on free throws to close out the game.
Florida State is now 17-15 overall after finishing in a tie for ninth place in the ACC standings with an 8-12 record. The Orange are now 14-18 and will face SMU in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.
As Hamilton was interviewed on the court after the final buzzer, he spoke of his Hall of Fame career in a few powerful words.
"I've been blessed to have an opportunity not many people have had," said Hamilton. "I've been blessed and enjoyed the ride, and now it is time to move on to the next chapter."
Jamir Watkins scored a double-double of 16 points and a career-high tying 11 rebounds in his final game in a Florida State uniform. He totaled 11 points and five rebounds in the second half as he worked to lead Florida State back from a 16-point deficit. Watkins led the Seminoles with three assists and tied for the team lead with Daquan Davis as the two guards earned two steals each.
Watkins was one of three Seminoles who finished in double-figure scoring as Jerry Deng and Davis scored 10 points each. Deng totaled two 3-point shots while Davis made six of eight free throws.
Syracuse took a one-point lead (5-4) at the 18:09 mark of the first half on a basket by Jyare Davis and never allowed the Seminoles to move back into the lead. The Orange led by as many as nine points in the first half and were ahead by a 30-26 margin at the half.
Syracuse scored six of the first eight points of the second half and led 36-28 just two minutes into the second half.
Syracuse found themselves with a 16-point lead in the second half at 50-34 at the 13:15 mark.
The Seminoles' mounted a comeback midway through the second half after falling behind by 16 points.
Florida State earned a 10-0 run in the second half, starting at the 12:15 mark with a made free-throw from Davis, a layup by AJ Swinton, a layup by Watkins, a jumper by Justin Thomas, and a made free throw from Watkins.
Watkins made eight of 11 free throws during the game.
The Seminoles cut Syracuse's lead from 16 to five at the 2:31 mark with a layup from Thomas. They would close the gap to just one point with nine seconds remaining with a second-chance layup from Malique Ewin.
Syracuse scored four of the last five points – all on free throws to close out the game.
Players Mentioned
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