by Bill from Tampa
Florida State started off on fire offensively connecting on seven of its first nine shots. Unfortunately it was downhill from there as the Seminoles shot just 29% the rest of the way in losing to Boston College 72-67.
Leading 16-4 with 12:24 left in the first half, FSU was outscored 20-9.
The Seminoles did manage to hold a 25-24 halftime lead though when Toney Douglas (19 points) canned a three pointer from the right corner shortly before the half ended.
But the Eagles came out of the locker room with more intensity and built a 42-33 lead before four minutes had elapsed.
The ‘Noles were their own worst enemy. Able to avoid the turnover bug in the last few games, the Seminoles could not stop handing the ball over -- many of them self-inflicted miscues. The 18 total turnovers in the game by FSU led to 24 points by the Eagles.
Add to that the several shots around the basket that would not go down notably two point blank shots by Ryan Reid.
“We had the shots we wanted with point blank shots that would not go down,” Hamilton said. “We got good looks.”
Add to that again the defensive lapses by FSU that gave the Eagles several wide open shots, notably the 7 or 11 three pointers in the second half, after hitting just 1 of 10 in the first twenty minutes.
The ‘Noles closed the margin to 48-47 after Chris Singleton hit a three in transition and followed a missed shot with a slam dunk put back. BC however raced right back down the floor as Rakim Sanders finished with an up and under layup starting a 7-0 run.
With BC leading 64-54, Douglas hit a wide open three off the inbound pass, Derwin Kitchen drove the ball in from the right side, and Douglas hit another three. With possession of the ball and a chance to tie the game at 64 Douglas missed a jumper that was rebounded by Solomon Alabi whose hook shot was too strong off the backboard.
Down 68-67, FSU had an opportunity to take the lead after Tyrese Rice missed the front end of a one and one. But instead of possession of the ball, Sanders snuck in underneath and got the rebound.
The Eagles corralled another offensive rebound on the same possession, running valuable time off the clock.
Still trailing 68-67, Alibi’s hook shot was in the cylinder and spun out.
On the other end Rice hit a wide open three from above the key with 15 seconds left and a 71-67 lead that essentially sealed the win for Boston College.
Florida State did have one last chance after Rice’s basket when Douglas stole the inbound pass by Trapani. But Trapani redeemed himself by blocking Douglas’ shot attempt.
Sanders made one of two free throws that absolutely decided the outcome.
Hamilton said afterwards “When you are on the road against a good basketball team you have to find a way to win.”
Unlike previous games, the ‘Noles were unable to find a way.
“Overall we didn’t execute nearly as well on the defensive end as we are capable of,” Hamilton commented. “On offense we turned the ball over too often. We just showed lack of concentration. Much of the damage we incurred was self inflicted.”
Hamilton credited Boston College for making the big shot when they needed it and in keeping Alabi off the block.
The Eagles’ defense did a good job of stopping penetration by Douglas as well. All five of his baskets were from behind the arc.
Alabi finished with 16 points and Kitchen added 13.
Trapani led BC with 19 followed by Sanders (16), Rice (11, all in the second half), and Bilko Paris (10).
With the loss FSU falls to 21-7, 8-5 and misses an opportunity to possibly improve its seeding for the NCAA. FSU is now 0-3 in Boston.
The Seminoles do get another chance, however. But it won’t be easy. The ‘Noles will host a Clemson Tiger team that will be looking for revenge after blowing a 19 point lead to FSU earlier in the season. Tip off at the Donald L. Tucker Center is Saturday at 2:00 PM.
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