Posted by BillFromTampa

After a first half that had four ties and five lead changes resulting in a 31-31 score quickly got away from Florida State as the second half began. The Seminoles started 0-7 while Maryland went 6-8 from the floor in opening up a twelve point lead FSU could not overcome losing 73-55.

FSU seemed to have garnered some momentum in the first half holding the Terrapins to just two points over the last 8:05 overcoming a 29-21 deficit. But fueled by five straight run out lay ups by Maryland turned a tie score into a 43-31 deficit that essentially decided the game.

“We did not come out in the second half with the same intensity Maryland did,” Leonard Hamilton said after the game. “What was a tie game was all of a sudden a ten point game. We could not recover from that.”

The fifty-five points was the lowest offensive output for the ‘Noles this season as Hamilton’s team struggles to find a second consistent scorer after Al Thornton.

Once again Thornton carried the team in scoring 23 points along with 15 rebounds.

Isaiah Swann was the only other Seminole in double figures with 12 points.

It’s been a familiar story for FSU in trying to find other scorers to take the pressure off Thornton.

“We have not been able to get anyone else in the offensive flow other than Al,” said Hamilton. “Other guys are trying to pick up the slack. But they seem to be trying too hard. We have just not been able to find a second offensive guy we can count on.”

The loss drops the Seminoles to 17-11 overall and 5-9 in the ACC probably ending any chance of reaching the NCAA tournament barring a run in the conference tournament in Tampa.

The Seminole offense was out of sync for most of the game having almost as many turnovers (16) as field goals (17) shooting just 34% for the game. The Terps capitalized off the miscues scoring 15 points.

Maryland was led in scoring by reserve center Bambale Osby’s 15 points. In fact the Maryland bench outscored FSU’s bench 22-0.

Mike Jones (14), James Gist (13), and D.J. Strawberry (10) were Maryland’s other double digit scorers.

While FSU did well in the first half, the defense broke down in the second getting caught by too many transition baskets. The Terrapins shot 45% that included 8 of 14 (57%) three pointers.

A still positive Hamilton was focused on the two remaining regular season games and hoped the offensive woes can be solved.

First up will be North Carolina State that will be the final home game for Thornton and Jerel Allen. Tip off is at 1:00 PM.