(A certain unnamed author was at the Chicago Bears game, so this is simply a recap of the stats. Please refer to the game thread for the outstanding commentary from our readers. Cheers, TC. )
During the five games leading up to today's match up, Florida State failed to score more than 70 points. They scored 80+ in the first three games of the year. Today, the offense warmed up, leading the Seminoles to an 82-62 victory over Isiah Thomas's FIU squad. Granted, FIU has yet to demonstrate it can play defense against anyone. Florida State had an Offensive Efficiency of 109.3 while holding FIU to an Offensive Efficiency of only 82.7 with an eFG% of 39%.
Due to an injury to Derwin Kitchen, Coach Leonard Hamilton changed the starting line up. Instead of Kitchen, Luke Loucks got the nod. However, that wasn't the only change. Xavier Gibson started over Ryan Reid. This was the Gibson's first collegiate start and provided a reasonable stat line in 18 minutes of play: 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Given the opportunity to start, Loucks contributed with 6 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in 28 minutes of play. He only had 1 turnovers.
Devidias Dulkys led the Seminoles with 19 points, going 5 for 10 from the three point line. Dulkys also had 4 assists with only 1 turnovers. It was nice to see the Seminoles starters with decreased turnovers. For the game, the Seminoles had a TO% of 21.3%. Pierre Jordan had 3 turnovers, which likely occurred in late minutes (Yes?). Michael Snaer also had 4 turnovers, but scored 12 points in 19 minutes. From the game notes, it seems that Snaer is starting to show his athleticism and starting to get more aggressive around the basket.
This was a much needed win for the Seminoles as they now get a break before taking on Georgia State University on December 15th.