Too many turnovers, less than stellar defense in the second half, and shots that would not find the bottom of the basket all led to a disappointing 71-60 loss for the Seminoles to the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Florida State just simply could not seem to hang onto the ball committing 20 turnovers in the game too many of which that were unforced errors.

What had been a strength in their last two games, the ‘Noles’ defense failed in the final twenty. The ‘Noles were torched for 63% shooting in the second half by Tech.’,'Add to that the Seminoles missed many wide open opportunities to knock down the shot. Leonard Hamilton commented afterwards “I have never seen so many point blank shots not go in. We simply had too many missed opportunities around the basket.”

The head coach noted a stretch in the second half where his team missed three point blank layups and two tip ins.

But lack of effort and the inability of Hamilton’s team to defend seemed to be the most displeasing aspect to the coach. “We simply didn’t get enough stops and combined with shots not falling, that’s a bad combination”, said Hamilton.

“We were not at our best tonight. When you don’t come to play your best, bad things happen like what happened tonight.”

There were early indications that the team was not anywhere near its best. After two alley oop plays to Thornton resulted in turnovers, Hamilton called timeout less than two minutes into the game. Later, after yet another turnover, obviously unhappy with what he was seeing, Hamilton pulled all five starters and inserted the second unit.

The move seemed to improve the team’s performance especially from Ralph Mims and Uche Echefu. Despite Al Thornton and Alexander Johnson combining for just 17 minutes playing time due to each picking up two fouls, FSU, playing from behind most of the time, managed to forge a 27-27 tie at the half.

FSU came out and grabbed the lead immediately in the second half and traded leads three more times in the first 4:11. Jerel Allen’s three gave FSU its last lead at 41-40 with 15:49 left.

Where it appeared to fall apart for FSU was when Thornton picked up his fourth foul on a charging call trailing 48-46. Zabian Dowdell quickly nailed a three pointer and Jamon Gordon converted a transition basket off a long rebound from a missed Andrew Wilson three.

Although Todd Galloway’s two free throws closed the gap to 53-51 with 7:08 remaining, turnovers, missed shots, and the Hokies pushing the ball off those misses gave Tech the chance to open a 60-51 margin.

Again Galloway closed the margin to 60-56 from the charity stripe. And again second chance points and transition baskets gave Tech a 70-58 lead with only 1:33.

That was a lead the Seminoles could not overcome especially with shots still clanging off the rim. A meaningless basket by Thornton with seconds left finished the scoring for the game.

Leading the way for the ‘Noles was Johnson who just missed another double double. The junior forward finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

Thornton was the only other Seminole in double figures with 13 points.

But that could not nearly offset four Tech players in double digits led by Dowdell’s 20 points.

The loss is a setback to the Seminole’s quest to make the NCAA tournament. Instead of moving into fifth place alone at least temporarily, the ‘Noles drop to 17-8 overall and 7-7 in the conference.

The job of getting to The Dance becomes even tougher as there probably isn’t an FSU fan that doesn’t know that you know who comes to Tallahassee on Wednesday. The Blue Devils, fresh off their win over Temple, will tip off with the Seminoles at 7:00 PM. He game is to be shown on ESPN.

Quick Update:

The FSU Baseball Team beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers last night 5-0. Bryan Henry was superb, and Ryne Malone tatooed a home run over the right field fence.

The Seminole Softball Team did not fair so well, however. At the NFCA Tournament in Columbus, GA, the ‘Noles fell 14-0 to UL-Lafayette and 1-0 to Tennessee.

Action continues today for both squads, weather permitting.

The FSU Baseball Team is back in action this weekend against Minnesota. Look for Jack Rye (above) to keep his hot bat this weekend against the Golden Gophers. Ace pitcher Bryan Henry is on the mound tonight, Stephen Hyde and Barret Browning round out this weekend’s rotation.

With two wins this weekend, Coach Martin will reach the 1400 win plateau.

Congratulations to Seminole Softball Head Coach JoAnne Graf. Coach Graf won the 1100th game of her career last night, when the ‘Noles beat Jacksonville University 8-1, after the Seminole bats came alive in the late innings. Pitcher Tiffany McDonald carried a perfect game into the 6th inning, but Renee Lacroix ended McDonald’s hopes with a home run.

JU managed to tame the Seminoles in the 2nd game of the doubleheader, with a 2-1 victory. The Dolphins have split their last three doubleheaders with the Seminoles.

FSU continues their road trip this weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, GA.

Not since 1994 has Florida State won more than six conference games. That changed Wednesday night as the Seminoles used a strong defensive effort to claim its seventh ACC win of the season defeating Maryland 71-60.

Before the game Leonard Hamilton labeled the contest as a huge game for FSU in taking a step towards the goal of playing in the NCAA. Numerous times he mentioned it. He mentioned it numerous times after the game as well.

“This is a huge win for us” an obviously pleased Hamilton said moments into the post game show.’,'It was apparent the head coach and his team knew what was at stake. Lose and the chance of making it to the Big Dance was probably gone.

But with the win, FSU improves its ACC record to 7-6 (17-7 overall) and are positioning themselves to at least get a look by the committee and get their first invitation to the Dance since 1998 provided they can pick up a couple more wins.

Hamilton credited his team’s defensive effort particularly in the second half. “Even though we gave up a few easy baskets and rebounds, I was pleased with the intensity”, said the head coach.

Despite allowing the Terrapins to shoot 50% in the second half, FSU’s defense limited the number of attempts Maryland took by making key steals at opportune moments. The Seminole defense held Maryland to just 40% overall and just 27% (3-11) from behind the arc.

Leading the way for FSU was Al Thornton. Hamilton gave credit to Thornton for carrying the ‘Noles in the first half with his 10 points. The junior forward didn’t do a bad job in the second half either adding 17 more points in addition to grabbing 12 rebounds for the game playing all but one minute.

Thornton’s first half contributions were needed as Alexander Johnson picked up two fouls in the first 2:08 of the game. Although playing just 20 minutes, Johnson made the most of his abbreviated time by scoring 9 points and pulling down 7 rebounds.

With one minute left in the game, Johnson exemplified the hustle effort of the entire team when Jerel Allen knocked the ball away from Sterling Ledbetter. Johnson made the diving play he would have not had made last season for the ball wresting it away from Ledbetter and quickly passing it back to Allen.

Showing signs of emerging from his offensive slump, Isaiah Swann was the only other Seminole in double figures adding 12.

Maryland led for only the first two minutes of the game. Johnson’s three from the top of the key gave FSU a lead it would not relinquish.

FSU took control of the first half when Uche Echefu nailed a three pointer to make it 26-18 at the 8:40 mark. The game turned into a slugfest at that point with sixteen free throw attempts taken by the two teams over the next four minutes with only one basket, a three pointer by Thornton.

Fortunately for FSU fans, the Seminoles were taking the majority of those charity shots.

With Florida State holding a 37-27 at the half, Maryland opened the second twenty minutes with a 10-2 run utilizing a 2-3 zone defense and pounding the ball inside more. DJ Strawberry’s runner in the lane closed the gap to 39-33.

FSU had enough of that at that point and began to make stops allowing the ‘Noles to get in its transition game. A three on one break resulted in Swann’s up and under reverse layup around Ledbetter and a 55-37 lead with 11:15 to play.

The Terps tried to continue with its game plan. But the Seminole defense would rise to the occasion. Ralph Mims picked off a pass in the backcourt and went totally uncontested for the easy layup.

Thirty seconds later Johnson added another layup in transition and FSU led 63-44 at the 8:15 mark.

Nik Caner-Medley (19 points) tried to bring Maryland back but had little offensive help from his teammates. Just when it seemed Maryland was about to shrink the lead either Todd Galloway or Johnson stole the ball.

Leading 70-53 with a couple of minutes to play it was clear to Hamilton that the game was secure and substituted well into his bench leading to some sloppy play at the end.

Mims’ free throw with fifty one seconds left gave FSU a 71-57 lead. He made certain there would be no miracle comeback stealing the ball on the ensuing possession.

The Seminoles will attempt to reach .500 and make a move closer to their goal of playing the NCAA tournament Saturday night in Blacksburg. The ‘Noles tip off against the Virginia Tech Hokies at 7:00 PM. There is no television for this game.

Sorry for the late update, but the newest is ready to roll. As you can see from above, Seminole fans young and old were happy to see FSU win this past weekend’s Seminole Classic, as the ‘Noles rolled to a 3-1 record for their 4 games.

The Virginia Cavaliers utilized a 2-3 zone defense for the entire game. That strategy backfired as the Seminoles knocked down 11 of 20 three point attempts in defeating the Cavs 76-62.

More specifically it was Andrew Wilson leading the long bomb barrage. Wilson tied his career high for three point shots hitting 7 of 11 attempts to finish with a game high 21 points.

Several times this season Thursday Leonard Hamilton said Wilson needed to get the ball more and take advantage of his long range abilities. But Hamilton credited Wilson’s teammates in the game in looking for him. The head coach was very pleased with his teams passing and ball reversals that often gave Wilson wide open looks at the rim.’,'Joining Wilson in double figures Alexander Johnson with 15 points and earned his sixth double double of the season with 13 rebounds and added a career high five blocked shots. Todd Galloway finished with 12 and Ralph Mims and Al Thornton both with 10.

Hamilton was even more pleased with his team’s defense. The ‘Noles held Virginia to just 39% shooting and calling it “the best perimeter defense of the season” FSU allowed just 2 of 12 three pointers.

“We played aggressive defense”, Hamilton said. “We defended well and even though they out rebounded us (34-29) I thought we rebounded the ball well.”

That was reflected in holding UVa’s leading scorer, Sean Singletary to just 12 points. Adrian Joseph also finished with 12 and JR Reynolds was the only other Cavalier in double digits with 18.

An important win that pulls FSU back to .500 in the conference, Hamilton complimented his team on “their ability to bounce back” from the debacle at North Carolina State. It also puts FSU in a tie for four way tie for fifth place in the ACC.

The Seminoles never trailed in the game. After Jason Cain’s free throws tied the game 2-2, FSU went on a 22-9 run fueled by back to back threes by Wilson to lead 24-11 with 9:12 left in the half.

But the Tribe went a little cold and UVa scored the next eight points forcing Hamilton to call timeout at the 6:24 mark.

Galloway responded on offense and defense. Stealing the ball from Singletary, Galloway finished off the play with a short jumper and promptly stole the ball on the Cavs next possession taking it the distance himself.

Galloway later drove the ball deep converting a pull up five foot jump shot and then added a three with fifty seconds left to give FSU a 39-28 lead. Galloway preserved the halftime lead with again outstanding defense stealing the ball from Cain on a lob pass over Johnson to the post.

It was near perfect half for the ‘Noles in committing a season low 5 turnovers but forced UVa into 11 miscues leading to 13 points for FSU.

Virginia’s frontcourt was also saddled with foul trouble allowing Johnson operate efficiently in the paint despite numerous double and triple teams.

In the second half, the Cavs turned the ball over three times on their first three possessions while FSU proceeded to go on a 9-1 run to lead 48-29.

After the Cavs narrowed it to 48-36, Wilson hit a three from the right corner and for good measure added one from the left corner a minute later. Three more bombs from Wilson, Galloway, and Mims found their way thru the net as FSU rolled up the lead back to nineteen, 65-46, with 9:46 to play.

With FSU using clock time, he closest the Cavs could get was thirteen points. Wilson punctuated his game with a three from the left wing from way behind the arc with one minute left and a 76-60 lead.

Even with how satisfied Hamilton was with his team’s performance bouncing back from the disappointment in Raleigh, the head coach was immediately in next game mode. “What is important is how we respond Wednesday night”, he commented.

That game Wednesday is against one of the teams FSU is tied with in the conference. The Seminoles will host Maryland at 9:00 PM. The Terrapins joined he log jam by beating Georgia Tech in overtime on Saturday.

The Seminole Softball Team pull out two wins on the opening day of the Seminole Classic. FSU managed to beat South Carolina 4-3, although the Gamecocks faught back late in the game. Game 2 vs. Iowa State featured a straight up bomb from Senior Carly Brieske, and a shutout pitched by true freshman Melissa May. Local Tallahassee talent, BillieAnne Gay (pictured above) saw action behind the plate where she used her strong arm to pick off a runner at first base.

And of course… the newest Photo Album is up!

The Seminole Softball Team and the Seminole Baseball team are in action today. The softball team starts play at 2PM, to begin the final few games of their opening season homestand, and the baseball team faces UNC-Asheville in Game 1 of the 3 game series. First pitch is scheduled for 5PM.

In other action, the Women’s Basketball Team faces ACC rival Miami tonight at home in Tallahassee.

Good luck getting to all of today’s action! I hope you have a comfortable cushion to sit on.