Florida State Sinks Miami at the Buzzer, Extends Dominance in Rivalry
In a rivalry that’s been one-sided for years, Florida State once again found a way to close out Miami - and this time, it came down to the final second. Robert McCray V stepped to the line with ice in his veins and drained two clutch free throws with one tick left on the clock, lifting the Seminoles to a 65-63 win Tuesday night at the Watsco Center.
That makes it six straight wins for Florida State over Miami and 15 out of the last 16 in the series. And while the Hurricanes honored longtime head coach Jim Larrañaga before tipoff, the Seminoles once again spoiled the party.
Miami, coming off a 10-point loss to Clemson, dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season. And this one stung. The Hurricanes led for much of the first half, but couldn’t put enough distance between themselves and a Florida State team that just kept hanging around - and eventually took control.
McCray’s Moment
McCray was the story of the night. He led all scorers with 20 points and delivered when it mattered most. With the game tied at 63 and just seconds remaining, he attacked the rim, drew a foul on Miami’s Tre Donaldson, and calmly hit both free throws to seal it.
It was a fitting finish for a player who had been aggressive all night and gave the Seminoles a steady offensive presence. Florida State leaned on him in crunch time, and he delivered.
Bench Boost and Timely Threes
In a game that tight, it’s often the little things that make the difference - and Florida State’s bench came up huge. The Seminoles outscored Miami 20-5 in bench points, giving them the kind of depth advantage that can swing a game.
They also found just enough from beyond the arc. Florida State hit six of its 17 three-point attempts, while Miami struggled to a 4-of-16 mark. Those two extra threes - plus the bench production - helped offset Miami’s edge in the paint and on the glass.
Chauncey Wiggins chipped in 10 points for the Seminoles, giving them a second double-digit scorer behind McCray. And while Kobe Magee only finished with six points, his three-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave Florida State a 38-37 lead heading into the locker room - a momentum shift that carried into the second half.
Miami’s Missed Opportunity
The Hurricanes had their chances. They led by as many as six multiple times in the first half, but couldn’t stretch the lead any further. And when Florida State made its push in the second half - building a 63-58 lead with just over two minutes to play - Miami had to claw its way back.
Malik Reneau helped spark that late rally, tying the game at 63 with a free throw with 20 seconds left. He finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting night and gave Miami a steady inside presence.
Freshman Shelton Henderson led the way for the Hurricanes with 18 points, showing poise beyond his years. Donaldson and Ernest Udeh Jr. each added 10, with Udeh nearly posting a double-double thanks to his nine rebounds.
But when it came to the final possession, Miami couldn’t keep McCray out of the paint - and it cost them.
What’s Next
Miami will try to regroup on the road Saturday afternoon at Syracuse, looking to avoid a three-game skid. The Orange, meanwhile, have their own ACC showdown coming up Wednesday night against Virginia Tech.
As for Florida State, this win wasn’t just about keeping a streak alive. It was a reminder that in a conference as unpredictable as the ACC, resilience and execution in the final moments still matter most. And right now, the Seminoles are finding ways to win - especially when it counts.