Posted by BillFromTampa

By Bill Swartbaugh

With Todd Galloway’s last second heave falling short, Florida State’s season came to an abrupt end in losing to South Carolina in overtime, 69-68. Poise down the stretch was the difference in the game.

The Gamecocks were able to control the tempo for much of the game as USC often ran the shot clock down close to zero. On defense a tight man defense mixed in with a zone type defense caused numerous problems for the Seminoles. The ‘Noles were held to 42% from the floor and held leading scorer Al Thornton who was still bothered by a lower back injury to just eight points. Despite being at a disadvantage in the post, South Carolina was able to pull down enough rebounds at the right time. Notably were the 13 offensive boards leading to several second chance points just at the time FSU didn’t need them. Add in the nine blocked shots by USC and the 16 turnovers the Seminoles committed that contributed to the defeat.

Leonard Hamilton gave credit to the Gamecocks saying “they did a very good job of defending us”. USC did a good job most of the game in not letting the ball get in too deep and forcing the Seminoles to take the tougher mid-range jump shot.

Hamilton was pragmatic about the loss however. “South Carolina is an experienced team and they made good decisions down the stretch.” Hamilton said afterwards. “But we let one get away from us tonight”

Added the coach, “We were a little careless with a rebound here and a turnover there. But the truth of the matter is that we never should have been in that situation in the first place.”

Alexander Johnson and Isaiah Swann had solid offensive efforts for the Seminoles. Johnson scored 22 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double double of the season. Swann found the range with 11 second half points finishing with 16 total points.

But it was the 11 combined turnovers from the duo that proved to be costly.

Andrew Wilson added 11 with seven coming in the first half to spark a sluggish offense.

The first half reflected the closeness of the game with five ties with the largest lead being just three points. That margin was provided when Thornton received a pass on the left wing and saw a clear path to the rim along the left baseline jamming in the shot with two seconds left on the clock.

FSU upped that lead right off the bat on the first play of the second half when Jason Rich, all alone under the basket on a nice back cut, hauled in a high pass and laid the ball in between two defenders.

Held without a three pointer in seven attempts in the first twenty minutes, USC connected on three in the first 6:30. Rocky Trice\’s three ball from the right wing gave the Gamecocks a 39-32 lead with 13:29 remaining.

USC increased that lead by one, 44-36, when Galloway’s three from the left corner missed resulting in a three on two break finished off by Tarence Kinsey.

FSU fought back to take a 47-44 lead behind an offensive flurry by Swann. Following Kinsey’s basket, Swann nailed two threes from above the key, a two just inside the key, and finished with a driving lay-up from the right side.

Wilson added to that lead on an offensive put back after Jason Rich attempted a circus shot flipping the ball over his head at the basket.

But the ‘Noles had trouble handling USC’s pressure defense. Tre’ Kelley stole the ball from Swann and converted on the other end.

The Gamecocks grabbed three straight offensive rebounds eventually scoring to make the score 52-50.

Just before that basket Johnson had an opportunity to extend FSU’s lead. But his one-handed slam clanged off the back of the rim. It was a key miss for the Seminoles.

Bryce Sheldon converted a wide open three from the right corner to give USC a 53-52 lead with 3:10 to play. Thornton took the lead back when he was left alone in the lane for the easy slam dunk. Kinsey answered with a three from the left wing to.

USC now led 56-54 with 2:11 to play.

Johnson tied the score at 56 with a floating jump shot.

What looked like the game changing play for FSU, Swann picked off Kinsey’s pass to the wing and went coast to coast for the highlight tomahawk slam. FSU led 58-56 with just under a minute to play.

On the ensuing possession, the ‘Noles defense held and the Gamecocks’ jumper missed its mark. Johnson grabbed the rebound, but Renaldo Balkman slapped it away and scored on the play plus the foul. Fortunately for FSU, Balkman’s 56% free throw percentage came through and he missed the chance to give USC the lead with 33 seconds left.

Folloing that it was a comedy of errors. FSU could not get a shot off in the final 33 seconds as a stiff defense forced Hamilton to call a timeout with 10 seconds left. The ball was then knocked out of bounds with 4 seconds left. Swann was fouled one second later but USC was under the foul limit. The ‘Noles had to take another timeout just to avoid the 5 second count. It only got worse when Swann threw a high lob to Johnson. But Balkman knocked the ball away and banked in a shot for the apparent game winner.

However, the clock started late once again just seconds apart and it was ruled that time had expired.The game went to overtime despite the protests of Gamecocks’ coach Dave Odom.

Overtime only delayed the outcome however. USC built a quick four point lead. Balkman crashed the offensive boards to put the ball in and Johnson completely turned his back on the ball carrier allowing Kelley an uncontested lane to the rim and the layup.

FSU managed to tie the game at 62. However Kelley made a nice floating shot over Johnson from the lane. Kelley picked off the inbound pass to Thornton and was finished off by Trice.

After Wilson’s layup brought FSU back to 66-64, Johnson was called for traveling with 27 seconds left.

FSU was given another chance when Kinsey, the Gamecocks’ best free throw shooter, missed his second attempt from the line. Johnson converted a slam at the other end with 13 seconds left to trail 67-66.

Forced to foul again, this time Kinsey made both free throws. USC gave the ‘Noles another chance by fouling Galloway who connected on both attempts. The Gamecocks even gave FSU yet one more opportunity when the inbound pass was picked off near the timeline. After a long pass to Galloway in the corner, the senior hesitated a moment giving the defense the time to get a piece of the ball.

Galloway’s three point attempt fell far short as time expired and thus ended FSU’s season.

Four Gamecocks were in double figures led by Kelley’s 17 points.

Reflecting on the year, Hamilton felt the team made real progress. “We’ve had ups and downs and fortunately we’ve had more ups than downs.” He also credited the three seniors, Galloway, Wilson, and Diego Romero saying that they gave him the best leadership they have had since arriving at Florida State.

The Seminoles will welcome to the team next fall shooting guard Aaron Holmes, named Co-MVP of the 2006 Senior Showcase All Star weekend, point guard Josue Soto, the Gatorade Florida Basketball Player of the Year, and seven footer Jon Kreft.