Posted by BillFromTampa

After not having much in the way of game intense situations over the past ten days while the team had final exams, the Florida State Seminoles got a stiff test from the Bowling Green Falcons. In a game that Leonard Hamilton readily admitted the team would not have won last year, the ‘Noles came away with a 71-60 win to improve to 6-1 on the season.

In was a contest of two contrasting styles. FSU’s first option so far this season on offense has been to get out in transition immediately. Running the offense in the half court has been third on that list. Bowling Green on the other hand utilizes a deliberate style of offense. For much of the game Bowling Green did indeed dictate the tempo. ‘,’Previously this season FSU had been able to use the three point shot when faced with a slow down style by their opponent. That would not be the case against the Falcons as the Seminoles shot just 2-14 from behind the arc. That forced FSU to find other ways to create their offense.

Hamilton was quite pleased that his young team found those ways. By patiently attacking the basket and getting to the foul line (21-30) FSU negated the tough night from behind the bonus sphere.

The Seminoles head coach was even more pleased with the number of players that found some way to contribute to the win.

Specifically mentioned was the defensive job Jerel Allen did in the second half on MAC conference leading scorer Martin Samarco. With Samarco already equaling his 19 point average by halftime, Hamilton tried Allen on the 6-2 guard. The move paid off as Samarco did not score again after adding five more points in the first several minutes of the second half..

Hamilton credited the Falcons for taking away some things FSU likes to do, notably the transition game. The Falcons were seldom outraced down the floor setting up quickly in their extended man to man defense.

The Falcon defense also did a good job in holding FSU leading scorer Al Thorton to just nine points. Foul trouble restricted some of Thornton’s game, but the Falcons were quite good at keeping Thornton from breaking down the defense off the dribble, Although struggling from the floor, Thornton made a significant contribution to the win by bringing down 10 boards.

That’s where other Seminoles stepped up to give FSU the win.

Todd Galloway led FSU with 14 points on the strength of 8 of 11 from the free throw line. Galloway’s connected four times in the last half minute to keep the Falcons at bay.

Also in double figures was Alexander Johnson with 12 points along with 11 rebounds and Jason Rich with 10.

At first FSU showed the effects of not playing for the last ten days. Fueled by a mini-spurt of quick baskets off a couple of Falcon turnovers it looked like it might be a rout as the ‘Noles ran out to a 12-0 lead at the 13:05 mark. The Falcons did not score their first points of the game until Samarco hit a jumper at the 12:52 mark.

With FSU holding an 18-7 lead, Hamilton began subbing freely. Looking back after the game Hamilton commented that he probably got away from the starters too quickly as Bowling Green outscored FSU 16-5 over the seven plus minutes.

Bowling Green took its first lead with just over two minutes left in the half, 26-25.

Andrew Wilson’s offensive put back regained the lead for FSU. The teams traded several series of free throws to end the half with FSU out in front 30-28.

Key to that point in the game was three point shooting. FSU was 0-9 from behind the arc while the Falcons were 6-15.

The first six minutes of the second half saw the Falcons still control the tempo. Samarco’s final points of the game gave Bowling Green .a 35-34 lead at the 16:40 mark.

Galloway had a chance to regain the lead after being fouled while taking a three point shot but missed all three charity shots.

After Steven William’s three and a Matt Lefeld layup put the Falcons up 43-40, FSU finally seemed to regain some offensive spark. Wilson started a 6-0 run with a pair of free throws, Isaiah Swann had a highlight one handed slam dunk followed by Diego Romero’s slam to give FSU the lead back at 46-40 with just under 13 minutes to play.

William’s put up a prayer from five feet behind the arc to tie it at 46. That would be as close as the Falcons would get.

Wilson nailed the first three pointer of the game for FSU and Swann made two great assists on to Romero back to back plays. Galloway caused a Bowling Green turnover giving Rich the opportunity to finish the fast break with a dunk of his own.

FSU now led 55-49 with 7:05 to play.

Johnson dug the hole a little deeper for the Falcons scoring FSU’s next six points when he hit one of two free throws, nailed a three pointer, and finished off his offensive flourish with a dribble drive layup.

Rich followed that with two from the line giving FSU a 63-52 lead with 52 seconds left.

With the Falcons forced to foul, Galloway made sure there would be no miracle comeback when he stepped to the charity stripe.

Just for emphasis, Rich and Thornton each added back to back dunks in the last seconds for the final points of the game.

Essential in the win was FSU making adjustments and executing them in the second half. After shooting just 38%, the ‘Noles worked the ball well in the half court and created scoring chances from fast break opportunities when they could. Blistering the nets at a torrid 57% in the second half FSU shot 46% from the floor for the game.

FSU helped themselves also by controlling the boards out rebounding the Falcons 43-25 margin.

The Seminoles will return home Tuesday to take on Stetson. Tip off is 7:00 PM.