December 22, 2007

Chris Nee
Warchant.com

On Saturday evening, Florida State scored 95 points in regulation. For the Seminoles, that would commonly lead to a victory but not against Providence. The Friars defeated the Seminoles 101-95.

On an evening where Florida State (10-4) shot 32-of-59 (54.2%) from the floor, 12-of-28 (42.9%) from the perimeter, and 19-of-24 (79.2%) from the charity stripe it was turnovers (19) and poor defense that failed them. Providence (8-3) shot 34-of-59 (57.6%) from the floor, 12-of-20 (60.0 %) from deep, and made 21-of-28 (75.0%) from the free throw line on their way to scoring a season-high in points.

"We just didn't come today with that defensive effort," head coach Leonard Hamilton said. "Tonight we had no answers for their three point shooting."

"We need to come more consistent with our defensive effort. We have shown signs this year of being a very good defensive team. We have to get all five guys on the court down and dirty defensively at the same time. Tonight we always seemed to have one player that did not carry out his defensive responsibility."

Both teams had five players in double-digits. Florida State was led by senior Jason Rich who scored a career-high 27 points. Rich's effort was equaled by Jeff Xavier's 27 points, including seven 3-pointers.

Providence's supporting cast was better than Rich's as the Friars got 25 points from Weyinmi Efejuku. Geoff McDermott contributed 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Friars won their third consecutive game.

Also in double-digits for the Seminoles was junior point guard Toney Douglas with 22 points, Uche Echefu with 16 points, as well as Isaiah Swann and Ralph Mims scoring 10 points each. Echefu also contributed 11 rebounds in the loss.

Swann gave the Seminoles an early 11-3 lead with 3-pointer 3:12 into the game but the Friars, who scored six 3-pointers on their first 10 shots, took a 24-21 lead on Brian McKenzie's 3-pointer and extended the lead as the first half came to a conclusion.

Florida State went into the locker room trailing 47-41. Hamilton was once again disappointed with his team's defensive effort in the opening half.

"Well obviously we got off to a poor start defensively," Hamilton said. "We struggled early in the game in locating Xavier. We know he is a great three-point shooter."

The Seminoles closed the deficit in the second half and tied the game at 73-73 on a Ralph Mims' three-pointer with 8:25 left. With a golden opportunity to earn an out-of-conference road win, the Seminoles struggled over their next few possessions as Providence surged ahead to a 92-81 lead.

The Seminoles closed within five on successive 3-pointers from Mims and Rich with 1:21 left. The comeback effort would fall short though due to the Friars hitting nine foul shots to secure the win.

After the loss, Hamilton spoke about where his team is after their final road game against an opponent outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"We are a good basketball team that has several areas that we need to sure up," Hamilton said. "All of those things we must improve on and become consistent if we want to get where we want to be at the end of the season."

Florida State will return to the court next Sunday when they travel to Georgia Tech for the Seminoles ACC opener. That game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and will be carried on FSN.

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