Dec. 30, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Oliver Simmons scored a career-high 17 points and Florida State won without its top two scorers Thursday, beating The Citadel 77-51.

Ron Hale missed the game because of a knee injury, and Damous Anderson served a one-game suspension for an academic violation.

Emanuel Mathis also had a career high with 16 points for Florida State (5-5).

Alan Puckett of The Citadel (4-9) made four 3-pointers in the first half, but the Seminoles led 37-20 at halftime. Puckett finished with 19 points.

Florida State shot 54.5 percent. The Citadel shot only 33 percent but made eight 3-pointers.

The victory was the Seminoles' second in a row after three straight losses, and their last game before entering Atlantic Coast Conference play.