Field Level Media
Feb 8, 2020
M.J. Walker and Pat Williams scored 14 points each to lead eighth-ranked Florida State to a 99-81 win over visiting Miami in an ACC game on Saturday afternoon at Tallahassee, Fla.
The Seminoles had balanced scoring, including 13 points from Devin Vassell. Wyatt Wilkes added 11 points -- all in the first half -- and point guard Trent Forrest added 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Florida State (20-3, 10-2) has won 13 of its past 14 games, sweeping the home-and-home series against Miami. The Seminoles are 12-0 at home this season.
The Hurricanes (11-12, 3-10) have lost nine of their past 11 games. Miami has also lost six of its seven ACC road games, and the Hurricanes are 0-6 against top-20 teams.
However, Miami received strong play from its two freshmen guards as Isaiah Wong had 15 of his career-high and game-high 23 points in the first half, and Harlond Beverly scored 10 of his 14 points in those first 20 minutes.
Miami also got 15 points from Sam Waardenburg and 12 from Dejan Vasiljevic.
The Hurricanes played without starting center Rodney Miller, who is averaging 7.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. Miller, who has a sprained left ankle, missed a game for the first time this season.
However, the Canes got back leading scorer Chris Lykes after he missed four games due to a groin injury. Third-leading scorer Kam McGusty, who had missed three of the past four games due to a back injury, also returned. Both of them played as reserves and were not as effective as normal -- eight points for Lykes and none for McGusty.
Miami dominated much of the first six minutes, leading by as many as eight points. But Florida State surged back on top, taking a 50-47 lead into halftime.
Both teams shot the ball well in the first half -- 58.1 percent for the Seminoles and 51.6 percent for Miami.
In the second half, Miami trailed by just six points, 73-67, with 8:27 left -- before Florida State took over.
For the game, Florida State shot 53 percent, including 13-for-26 on 3-pointers. Miami shot 40.6 percent, including 8-for-24 on 3-pointers. The Seminoles also had a 46-24 rebounding advantage, including 16-9 on the offensive glass.
--Field Level Media