Miami Beats Rival Florida State After Blowing Big Lead

Hurricanes hold on for 83-73 victory after Seminoles rally to tie game late

Feb. 25, 2026 at 10:25am

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Malik Reneau recorded his eighth double-double of the season and Tre Donaldson scored 21 points as Miami defeated rival Florida State 83-73 on Tuesday night in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes led by as many as 11 points in the first half and maintained a lead for most of the game, but the Seminoles rallied to tie the game at 57 with under 8 minutes remaining. Miami then responded with a 16-5 run to pull away for the victory.

Why it matters

This win helps Miami maintain its position in the top half of the ACC standings, while Florida State continues to struggle against its in-state rival. The game featured a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, showcasing the intensity of this long-standing college basketball rivalry.

The details

Reneau finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Donaldson added 21 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds for Miami. The Hurricanes held a dominant 42-23 rebounding advantage, including 16 offensive boards that led to 25 second-chance points. Florida State was led by Lajae Jones' 21 points, but the Seminoles struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 28.6%.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 25, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida.

The players

Malik Reneau

A standout forward for the Miami Hurricanes who recorded his eighth double-double of the season in the win.

Tre Donaldson

A key guard for Miami who scored 21 points, including 15 in the second half, to help the Hurricanes hold off the Seminoles' comeback attempt.

Lajae Jones

The leading scorer for Florida State with 21 points, but the Seminoles struggled as a team from 3-point range.

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What they’re saying

“We knew Florida State would make a run, but our guys responded well and made the plays we needed down the stretch to get the win.”

— Jim Larrañaga, Head Coach, Miami Hurricanes

What’s next

Miami will look to build on this rivalry win as it continues its push for a top-4 seed in the ACC Tournament. Florida State, meanwhile, will try to regroup and finish the regular season strong to improve its postseason positioning.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the intensity of the Miami-Florida State basketball rivalry, with the Hurricanes ultimately prevailing after blowing a big lead. The win keeps Miami firmly in the hunt for a high seed in the ACC Tournament, while Florida State's struggles against its in-state foe continue.