Pierre Jr.'s clutch 28 points fueled a resilient SMU victory, clinching Enfield's 300th win in a tight ACC battle.
SMU continues to prove it belongs in the ACC conversation, grinding out an 83-80 win over Florida State on Saturday at Moody Coliseum in a game defined by composure, shot-making, and timely execution.
In a contest that featured multiple momentum swings, the Mustangs delivered when it mattered most, leaning on veteran leadership and balanced production to secure another resume-boosting victory.
Senior guard Jaron Pierre Jr. was the difference.
Pierre poured in 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, knocking down four three-pointers and repeatedly answering Florida State runs with confident, under-control offense.
His ability to create space off the dribble and convert tough looks late gave SMU a steady presence when the game tightened in the final minutes.
Florida State briefly seized control with just over four minutes remaining, but SMU responded with its best basketball of the night. A decisive 7-0 run flipped the momentum back to the Mustangs, sparked by Pierre’s scoring and capped by a key three-point play from B.J. Edwards.
Edwards later sealed the win at the free-throw line, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in another all-around performance.
The supporting cast played a crucial role as well.
Boopie Miller extended his remarkable consistency with 11 points and six assists, marking his 27th consecutive game scoring in double figures.
Samet Yigitoglu controlled the paint, pulling down 11 rebounds and providing second-chance opportunities that kept SMU’s offense alive during dry spells.
Florida State was far from passive.
Robert McCray V led the Seminoles with 21 points and nine assists, while Lajae Jones added 20 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
Their second-half push exposed moments of defensive slippage from SMU, but the Mustangs never lost their composure.
The Mustangs posted multiple scoring bursts of seven points or more, allowing them to weather Florida State’s surges without panic. That ability to respond - rather than react - reflects a team growing more comfortable in high-leverage situations.
The victory also marked a milestone moment for head coach Andy Enfield, who earned his 300th win of his career.
More importantly for the SMU Mustangs, the win keeps them firmly in the NCAA Tournament discussion with a strong NET ranking and a dominant home-court record.
For Florida State Seminoles, the loss underscores how slim the margins are in conference play, especially on the road.
With a ranked matchup looming against Louisville, SMU’s challenge now is consistency. But performances like this one show a team built to handle pressure ... and capable of winning games that matter in March.