Florida State University’s men’s basketball team narrowly lost to the SMU Mustangs, 83-80, in a closely contested game at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. Robert McCray V led the Seminoles with 21 points and nine assists, marking his second consecutive game with at least 20 points and his seventh double-digit scoring performance this season. Lajae Jones contributed a double-double, recording 20 points and tying his career high with 12 rebounds.
With this loss, Florida State’s record stands at 8-12 overall and 1-6 in ACC play. SMU improved to 15-5 overall and holds a conference record of 4-3.
Despite being outscored in the first half, Florida State had a strong showing after halftime. The Seminoles shot 50 percent from the field during the second half and outrebounded SMU by five boards. They started the half on a significant run, eventually taking a brief lead before SMU regained control late in the game.
Alex Steen ended an early eight-point run by SMU by scoring Florida State’s first four points of the contest off assists from McCray V. Steen finished with a season-high 14 points and nine rebounds—five of which were offensive—and surpassed the milestone of 1,300 career points during the game.
Thomas Bassong made an alley-oop dunk that helped spark a seven-point run for Florida State early in the first half. Martin Somerville also contributed significantly, tallying 13 points—including three made three-pointers—alongside two rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Florida State led briefly midway through both halves but trailed at halftime after SMU closed out the first period on a strong scoring run. The second half featured multiple lead changes as both teams traded runs until SMU pulled ahead for good in the final minutes.
Jones’ shooting kept Florida State close late in regulation; he hit four three-pointers during the game—marking his third time this season making four or more shots from beyond the arc—but it was not enough to overcome SMU’s late free throws that sealed their victory.
The Seminoles’ bench continued its trend of outperforming opponents’ reserves by outscoring SMU’s bench unit once again—a pattern consistent throughout all their ACC games so far this season.
Florida State will return home to face Cal at Tucker Center on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m.
