Group effort as FSU rolls over DePaul, 83-67

After Friday's anemic showing against Hofstra, the Florida State offense needed to re-establish some confidence. So it wasn't very encouraging when FSU turned it over three times in their first six possessions. But then any doubts were put aside when Malik Beasley knocked down a 3-pointer and the offense was off and running.

They built a 5-point lead by playing better defense and forcing the action, scoring mostly from the free throw line. Then, for a 4-minute window, the FSU stops started turning into transition opportunities, which is where this team excels. A 5-point lead turned into 17, and the game was basically over.

Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley combined for 19 first half points, and the Noles led 43-26. Six players had at least four points in the half. About the only dark spot in the half was committing nine turnovers, though to be fair four of those were illegal screens called by the whistle-happy refs.

The second half wasn't nearly as fluid, but the FSU defense kept getting enough stops to keep DePaul from making a run. The lead was 24 with 5 minutes left, but DePaul knocked down enough 3s in garbage time to make the score seem closer than the game really was. Again, six Florida State players contributed at least four points in the half.

FSU won 83-67.

The Seminoles advance to play Ohio on Monday, at 4PM.

Dwayne Bacon bounced back from his poor effort versus Hofstra with 19 points on just seven shots. Malik Beasley had 11 points and five rebounds, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes led all players with eight assists. Benji Bell (9 points), Jarquez Smith (8), Montay Brandon (7), Devon Bookert (7), Terance Mann (7), and Phil Cofer (6) all had their moments. No one played more than 25 minutes.

Chris Koumadje got his first extended minutes (11) since the opening game, and had a nice five point, five rebound, three block effort. Twice he caught difficult passes in traffic and slammed them home.