TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Malique Ewin scored a career-high 26 points and Florida State defeated SMU 76-69 on Saturday to give Leonard Hamilton a win in his final game coaching the Seminoles in Donald L. Tucker Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hamilton, who is retiring at season’s end after 23 seasons heading the program, collected his 200th ACC regular-season win, which ranks fourth in conference history. He is the ACC’s fifth all-time winningest coach with 438 victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ewin also had eight rebounds as did Jamir Watkins, who scored 20 points. Jerry Deng scored 11 points for the Seminoles (17-14, 8-12) shooting 48% in snapping a four-game losing streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boopie Miller led the Mustangs (22-9, 13-7) with 16 points, Matt Cross added 13, Kario Oquendo 12 and Chuck Harris 11. SMU shot 42%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Florida State led throughout the second half but never by more than seven, including after a Watkins fadeaway jumper with 1:17 left. Miller responded quickly with a layup and the Mustangs got a turnover but Cross missed a 3-pointer. Justin Thomas grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws for a six-point edge with 25.5 remaining. B.J. Edwards had a 3-point try partially blocked and the Seminoles added a final free throw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SMU led for most of the first half until the Seminoles went on an 8-0 run with four free throws from Watkins for a 33-27 lead heading into the final minute. Miller had a bucket and then hit a 3-pointer as time ran out to make it a one-point game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The teams now head for the conference tournament that runs Tuesday through next Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"