Not a bad way to finish conference play.
Florida State, looking to finish December on a positive note (7-6, 0-0 ACC), had yet another “get right” game before ACC play begins, this time against Jacksonville University (5-7, 0-0 ASUN).
It was a game in which the Seminoles were hot in the shooting and defense department, and never really took their foot off the gas, finishing with a final score of 87-63. They needed this after the brutal non-conference stretch.
First Half
Florida State started off extremely hot, with Martin Somerville leading the charge with 13 points before the whole team combined to even get to 30. He started three of five in three-pointers, and a 15-3 run starting at 12:00 left in the 1st half and ending at the 7:00 mark was incredible to witness. At the 3-minute mark, the Seminoles led 35-17, and they had some help from Thomas Bassong with seven first-half points and five first-half rebounds.
The Seminoles took 28 three-point shots and made 13 of them in the first half alone, for a percentage of 46.4. This game was a microcosm of part of the reason why they are near the top of the nation in multiple three-point categories. After a missed Jacksonville free throw to end the first half, the Seminoles concluded the first half on a 6-0 run and with a 22-point lead. FSU led JU, 43-21.
Second Half
The second half didn’t fare much better for the Dolphins, as the Seminoles extended their lead to 27 on the back of, shocker, Martin Somerville, who continued to play well. Alex Steen also had a great second half, going for (POINTS) points and (REOUNDS) rebounds. A bit of foul trouble on the part of Wiggins, Steen, Bassong, and McCray was perhaps the most notable downside to the second half, as they each got to three fouls before the second half finished up.
As the clock ran down, Jacksonville came alive a little, but the Florida State defense adjusted and responded quickly, scoring four points off turnovers and 18 points in the paint. All six of the Seminoles’ dunks came in the second half. Robert McCray also became the first player in Florida State history to record their fourth game with 10 or more assists.
It was a very comfortable night for the Seminoles, as everyone ate, and they cruised to an easy 87-63 win.
Players of the Game
No question this game was won on the back of Martin Somerville. He was electric, with a stat line of 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes. I also want to give a shout-out to Robert McCray for his contributions in the assists category. It would be wrong of me not to.
What’s Next?
The Seminoles move to 7-6 to begin their ACC conference slate against a gauntlet: at North Carolina, then hosting Duke to begin January. You can catch the game against the Tar Heels on December 30th at 7:00 PM ET from Chapel Hill. The game will be aired on ESPN 2.
Category: General Sports
