Amber Aniston • March 8, 2026

Chauncey Wiggins’ Career Night Powers Florida State Past SMU 91–78 in Regular-Season Finale

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State closed its regular season with authority Saturday afternoon, riding a career performance from Chauncey Wiggins to defeat SMU 91–78 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles combined hot perimeter shooting, strong ball movement, and a decisive first-half run to secure the victory and carry momentum into the ACC Tournament. 


The win lifted Florida State to 17–14 overall and 10–8 in ACC play, while SMU dropped to 19–12 (8–10 ACC) after falling short on the road despite a standout scoring effort from Boopie Miller. 


Florida State’s victory also capped a strong finish to the regular season, as the Seminoles closed conference play with three consecutive wins heading into postseason competition. 


Wiggins Delivers Career Performance 


The game belonged to Chauncey Wiggins, who produced the best performance of his collegiate career when Florida State needed it most. 


The senior forward scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 6-of-8 from three-point range in an efficient and commanding performance. 


Wiggins established his rhythm early and carried that momentum throughout the afternoon. He scored 16 points in the first half, helping Florida State build a double-digit lead before the break. 


His ability to stretch the floor created constant problems for SMU’s defense, opening driving lanes for teammates and allowing Florida State to operate with far better offensive spacing than it had in previous games. 


Seminoles Seize Control Late in the First Half 


While the opening minutes were competitive, Florida State gradually began asserting control as the first half progressed. 


After the teams traded baskets early, the Seminoles found a surge midway through the period that changed the tone of the game. Florida State strung together an 8–0 run fueled by three-point shots from Wiggins and Robert McCray V, pushing the lead to 26–18 with just over five minutes remaining in the half. 


From there, Florida State continued to build momentum. The Seminoles closed the half on a 16–6 run, expanding the advantage to 45–27 at halftime and forcing SMU into a significant deficit. 


Florida State’s balanced scoring and defensive pressure during that stretch proved decisive. The Seminoles created turnovers, controlled the pace, and generated high-quality looks both inside and beyond the arc. 


Florida State Extends Lead After Halftime 


The Seminoles carried that momentum into the second half and wasted little time extending their advantage. 


Florida State opened the half by outscoring SMU 6–2, stretching the lead to 51–29 and establishing its largest margin of the afternoon. 


The offense continued to flow efficiently as Florida State attacked from multiple spots on the floor. The Seminoles ultimately finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range, numbers that reflected both ball movement and shot selection. 


The Seminoles also recorded 16 made three-pointers, one of the highest totals in program history and tied for the second-most in an ACC game for Florida State. 


McCray and Supporting Cast Provide Balance 


While Wiggins’ scoring stole the spotlight, Florida State’s victory was also built on strong contributions across the roster. 


Senior guard Robert McCray V added 17 points and 12 assists, recording his third double-double of the season and orchestrating the Seminoles’ offense throughout the game. 


McCray’s playmaking proved particularly important in transition and in half-court sets where Florida State’s spacing allowed him to create open looks for teammates. 


The Seminoles also received double-digit scoring from Lajae Jones (12 points) and Kobe MaGee (10 points), giving Florida State four players in double figures. 


Jones contributed across the stat sheet as well, finishing with seven rebounds and four steals, while MaGee’s perimeter shooting helped maintain the Seminoles’ offensive rhythm. 


Miller Leads SMU in Defeat 


Despite the loss, SMU received an outstanding performance from star guard Boopie Miller. 


Miller scored a career-high 32 points, shooting 11-of-20 from the field and 7-of-11 from three-point range, consistently creating offense even as Florida State built its lead. 


Samet Yigitoglu added 15 points and nine rebounds, providing interior scoring and rebounding presence before fouling out late in the game. 


Corey Washington also finished in double figures with 12 points, but SMU struggled to match Florida State’s shooting efficiency and perimeter production over the course of the game. 


The Mustangs shot 42 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, numbers that were respectable but not enough to overcome Florida State’s offensive explosion. 


Seminoles Carry Momentum Into ACC Tournament 


The victory allowed Florida State to finish the regular season with positive momentum as the postseason approaches. 


The Seminoles enter the ACC Tournament as the No. 8 seed, where they will face No. 9 seed California in the second round after earning a first-round bye. 


SMU, meanwhile, enters the tournament as the No. 11 seed and will face No. 14 seed Syracuse in the opening round. 


Final Takeaway 


Florida State’s 91–78 victory over SMU showcased one of the Seminoles’ most complete performances of the season. Chauncey Wiggins’ career-high scoring night headlined the effort, but Florida State’s ball movement, perimeter shooting, and defensive pressure ultimately defined the game. 


For SMU, Boopie Miller’s scoring brilliance provided a bright spot, but the Mustangs could not recover from Florida State’s dominant first half. 


As the ACC Tournament begins, Florida State carries confidence from a strong regular-season finish, while SMU looks to regroup quickly in hopes of extending its season in postseason play. 

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