CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — In a tense, defensive struggle that came down to the final second, Robert McCray V sank two free throws with one-tenth of a second remaining to lift Florida State to a stunning 65-63 upset victory over Miami on Tuesday night at a stunned Watsco Center.

The Seminoles, who entered the game with an 8-11 record and had lost four of their last five, executed a perfect final sequence to snatch a victory from the heavily favored Hurricanes, who fell to 15-4. The win was a dramatic reversal for Florida State, which had suffered a series of close losses in Atlantic Coast Conference play, including a one-point defeat to Wake Forest just three days prior.

The game’s defining moment was born from chaos in the final seconds. With the score tied at 63 and Miami holding possession with 20 seconds left, the Hurricanes’ Malik Reneau was stripped by Florida State’s Lajae Jones near midcourt. The loose ball was corralled by the Seminoles, who called a timeout with 1.1 seconds on the clock to set up a final play.

On the inbounds pass, Miami’s Tre Donaldson was called for a foul on McCray as he attempted a desperation shot from near the three-point line. After a review confirmed the foul occurred with 0.1 seconds remaining, McCray, a 6-foot-4 guard from Columbia, South Carolina, stepped to the line with the game in the balance. He calmly sank both free throws to complete his game-high 20-point performance and seal the improbable road win.

The contest was a grind from the opening tip, characterized by physical defense and inconsistent offense. Florida State held a narrow 38-37 lead at halftime, but neither team could establish a significant advantage throughout the second half. The largest lead for either side was just six points.

McCray’s heroics were supported by a gritty team effort. Chauncey Wiggins added 10 points for the Seminoles, while Thomas Bassong contributed 8 points and key interior defense. Martin Somerville chipped in 9 points and three assists, providing crucial energy off the bench.

Miami was led by Shelton Henderson’s 18 points, though he was hampered by several late turnovers. Malik Reneau finished with 16 points and Ernest Udeh Jr. added 10 points and a dominant presence on the glass with multiple offensive rebounds and dunks. Tre Donaldson facilitated the offense with 11 points and 5 assists, but his critical foul at the end proved decisive.

The Hurricanes struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Florida State’s active defense, which recorded multiple blocks and steals in key moments. Miami’s final possession, which ended in the turnover, encapsulated a night of missed opportunities for a team that had been projected with a 79.5% probability to win and was installed as an 11.5-point pregame favorite.

The game’s total of 128 points fell well under the over/under line of 166, underscoring the defensive nature of the battle. Attendance was 5,664.

The victory provides a massive boost for Florida State as it looks to turn around its season. The Seminoles travel to face SMU on Saturday. Miami, which saw a three-game winning streak snapped, must regroup quickly as it heads to Syracuse on Saturday, its hopes for a high ACC finish dealt a surprising blow on its home floor. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Tallahassee on Feb. 24.