TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Miami walked into the Donald L. Tucker Center on Tuesday night, absorbed Florida State’s best punch, and still left with a statement win.
Behind a dominant rebounding performance and a pair of 20-point scorers, the Hurricanes beat the Seminoles 83-73 in a key ACC matchup. They snapped Florida State’s recent run in the rivalry and tightening Miami’s grip in the upper tier of the conference race.
Reneau and Donaldson deliver the difference
Miami forward Malik Reneau powered the Hurricanes with 23 points and 12 rebounds—his eighth double-double of the season. Tre Donaldson added 21 points, six assists, and six rebounds in an all-around effort that felt like it belonged on a postseason stage.
The Hurricanes didn’t win this game with one hot shooting stretch. They won it with pressure, extra possessions, and a steady ability to answer runs.
Miami finished with a massive 42-23 advantage on the glass, including 16 offensive rebounds that turned into 25 second-chance points.
Florida State fights back—then Miami slams the door
For much of the night, Miami looked like it might cruise. The Hurricanes built a big lead, only to watch Florida State claw its way back. At one point in the second half, the Seminoles tied the game at 57, flipping the momentum and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
That’s when Miami’s composure showed up.
The Hurricanes responded with a decisive 16-5 run, punctuated by a Donaldson takeover sequence—a personal 7-0 burst that created separation in the final minutes and effectively ended Florida State’s comeback bid.
Miami also got scoring support from Tru Washington (11) and Shelton Henderson (10), giving the Hurricanes four players in double figures and enough balance to survive the swings.
Seminoles get big nights from Jones and Wiggins
Florida State didn’t fold. The Seminoles leaned on Lajae Jones, who led the way with 21 points, and Chauncey Wiggins, who added 14 points and five rebounds.
But the margins were hard to overcome—especially the rebounding gap and Miami’s edge from deep. The Hurricanes shot 42.9% from three, while Florida State hit 28.6%, and those extra points mattered once the game tightened late.
What it means in the ACC race
With the win, Miami improved to 22-6 overall and 11-4 in ACC play, while Florida State fell to 14-14 overall and 7-8 in the conference.
For Miami, it’s a road win that boosts momentum and reinforces a formula that travels: rebound, defend, and let your guards close. For Florida State, it’s a frustrating night—good enough to erase a big deficit, not clean enough to finish.
Florida State’s next chance to steady itself comes quickly: the Seminoles are slated to play Georgia Tech on Saturday, February 28.
More coverage and classic hoops rabbit holes
For more Florida-focused coverage and angles you can build into follow-ups (standings impact, rivalry trends, and “what it means next”), check out FloridaSportsView.com. And if you want to layer in historical context—big rivalry moments, ACC throwbacks, and “all-time best” comparisons—browse MyAllTimeBest.com.
