Posted by BillFromTampa

An eleven point lead by the Seminoles in the first half turned into a fourteen point deficit late into the second. But a rally by the ‘Noles came up a little short giving Boston College its first conference win by the score of 90-87.

A career high 37 points by Al Thornton went for naught as FSU could not stop the power game of the Eagles in the second twenty minutes. Leonard Hamilton felt his team “lost the physical battle inside”. “We did not do a good job of creating space” said Hamilton speaking of his team’s handling of BC’s rugged post play.

Eagles’ forwards Craig Smith and Jared Dudley was that physical presence inside. Smith scored 28 points and Dudley added 25 to lead Boston College.

Sean Marshall and Louis Hinnant each scored 12 points as BC scored from nearly everywhere on the floor leading to 5% shooting.

What was surprising though was BC’s three point shooting to compliment their inside game. Not known as a perimeter shooting team, the Eagles nailed 7 of 9 three point attempts in the second half after connecting on just 1 of 7 in the first twenty minutes.

“Our pressure defense did not bother them” Hamilton said.

Conversely after Florida State got up by eleven, BC’s pressure defense and double teaming the ball caused the Seminoles to take quick shots forcing a couple of bad possessions in the latter stages of the first half. Hamilton added “Their pressure got us out of rhythm”.

Although FSU outrebounded the Eagles 30-29, second chance opportunities hurt the Seminoles. The Eagles scored 25 points off those second chances to just 12 for the ‘Noles. “Had we not given up those we might have pulled this one out” Hamilton commented.

Still Hamilton was pleased with his team’s 40 minute effort. “We showed we can compete on the road with good teams. But we have to win these games. Coming close won’t count.”

Florida State started the game strong able to utilize their transition offense. Al Thornton showed right from the start BC had no answer for him. Thornton scored FSU’s first six points and had doubled that by the 9:15 mark.

Diego Romero canned a wide open three followed by one each by Todd Galloway (15 points) and Isaiah Swann (14 points). Casaan Breeden’s offensive put back gave FSU a 31-19 lead with 5:19 left in the half.

BC switched its defense to full court pressure that obviously bothered FSU. The Seminoles’ shot selection suffered as did ball handling as the Tribe committed three turnovers in the last few minutes.

The Eagles chipped away at the deficit with Dudley’s basket off another offensive board bringing BC to within four, 38-34, at intermission.

After shooting 50% in the first half, FSU had a short cold spell. BC took advantage and Hinnant’s three pointer at the 17:22 mark gave the Eagles their first lead since very early in the game.

A high arching three ball by Thornton two minutes later gave FSU the lead back at 47-45.

But Boston College immediately went on a three point barrage with four different players converting from behind the arc. Another three by Dudley gave BC a 60-54 lead with just over twelve minutes to play.

With the lead, the Eagles went to their main gun often. Smith scored 12 points over the next five minutes. Following another three by Dudley, the Eagles now held its largest lead, 80-66, with 5:29 to play.

Better defense and offense provided by Swann and Galloway sparked a 9-1 run by FSU to trail by just six, 81-75.

With 2:25 remaining, Smith sank two free throws, but Alexander Johnson, who had been mostly silent all game long due to foul trouble, made some noise with a three from above the key. After Johnson turned it over on FSU’s next possession, Jason Rich quickly stole the ball back. Galloway converted the error with a three pointer to bring FSU to within two, 83-81 with 1:15 to play.

FSU continued to stay within two answering every Eagle score. Thornton’s put back made the score 89-87 but just a half second remained when Marquez Haynes was fouled. The Tribe simply did not have enough time to pull off the comeback.

The Seminoles shot the ball well once again shooting 55% for the game. The ‘Noles were also on target from behind the line connecting on 9 of 17. Even from the stripe FSU was above their average with 73% (14-19) from the line.

Unfortunately Boston College equaled that effort and even surpassed the Seminoles from the charity stripe shooting far above their average converting 23 of 27 (85%).

Even with the loss for the Seminoles (11-3, 2-2), Hamilton felt his team grew up a little showing resilience in coming back from the double digit deficit.

Florida State will take the next week to get in some quality practice time as the Tribe does not play again until January 22nd. Back home in Tallahassee, FSU will host North Carolina who had a disappointing loss earlier in the day in Chapel Hill to Miami. Tip off is at 6:30 and unfortunately for many TV viewers in Florida the game is to be shown on FSN.