Florida State men’s basketball came up just short in a tightly contested matchup on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers, falling 60-57 on Tuesday night at John Paul Jones Arena. It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish, as both teams exchanged leads in a game defined by defense, timely shooting, and high intensity.
The Seminoles entered the game looking to build off recent momentum but struggled early with Virginia’s methodical pace and stifling defense. Despite a slow offensive start, FSU found ways to keep the game within reach, thanks in large part to their own defensive pressure and a balanced scoring effort. At halftime, Virginia held a narrow 28-25 lead after both teams traded scoring droughts and turnovers during the first 20 minutes.
FSU was led by forward Jamir Watkins, who once again showed why he’s become one of the Seminoles’ most reliable offensive weapons. Watkins finished the night with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, keeping the Seminoles alive with big buckets down the stretch. Guard Darin Green Jr. added 12 points, including a pair of crucial three-pointers that helped FSU erase a second-half deficit.
However, Virginia’s signature defense clamped down late in the game. The Cavaliers, led by Reece Beekman’s 15 points and 7 assists, executed down the stretch to fend off multiple FSU rallies. Virginia forward Isaac McKneely added 13 points, including a key jumper with under two minutes remaining that gave the Cavaliers a five-point cushion.
Despite trailing by as many as seven points midway through the second half, Florida State refused to go away. With under a minute left, Watkins hit a contested layup to bring FSU within two points, 59-57. After a defensive stop, the Seminoles had a chance to tie or take the lead, but a late turnover on an inbound play gave Virginia back the ball. A free throw from Beekman pushed the lead to three, and FSU’s final three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
The loss drops Florida State to 14-14 overall and 8-9 in ACC play, making every remaining game critical as they try to stay in the hunt for postseason consideration. With just a few games left in the regular season, the Seminoles are now battling for ACC Tournament seeding and hoping to bolster their resume for NIT or outside NCAA Tournament hopes.
FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton praised his team’s fight but acknowledged the costly mistakes. “We had our opportunities. Against a team like Virginia, you have to be nearly perfect in the final minutes. We just came up a little short,” Hamilton said postgame.
Next up, the Seminoles return home to face Notre Dame on Saturday, looking to snap a two-game losing streak and regain some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With the ACC standings tightly packed, every win from here on out carries extra weight.
For now, Florida State will look to regroup from another close loss, knowing they can compete with the conference’s best — but needing to find ways to finish games when it matters most.
Leave a Reply