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Seminoles' Defense Lets Them Down

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By DAN HICKLING, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 23, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Outrun, outscored, out of luck.

Such was the lot of Florida State, which put out its worst defensive performance in nearly seven years on its way to a 101-95 loss to Providence before 9,069 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Saturday.

Senior Jason Rich scored a career-high 27 points and Toney Douglas chipped in 22, but even with that much firepower the Seminoles (10-4) failed to keep up with Providence (8-3).
Friars guard Jeff Xavier matched Rich's output with 27 points, knocking down seven of his 12 3-point attempts, as Providence became the first Seminoles opponent to hit the century mark since the 100-58 thrashing by Duke on Feb. 4, 2001.

"The proof is in the pudding," said Rich, who also pulled down eight rebounds. "We gave them up from three. From two. We did a poor job in transition. We just did a poor job defensively."

Even so, the Seminoles managed to bring themselves back from an eight-point halftime deficit to knot the score, 73-73, with 8:21 remaining. But they couldn't get over the hump.

"We fought back," guard Isaiah Swann said. "But we couldn't get the stops to get the lead. We've got to play defense on the road. Defense is going to win games, even if you don't have a good night offensively. Defense and rebounds is the key to road wins."

The Seminoles appeared to be en route to a better outcome early on, when they reeled off an 11-3 game-opening run.

But the Friars changed tactics and began firing away from long range, getting a pair of 3-pointers from Xavier and another from Weyinmi Efejuku, and pulled even at 11.

"Early on I thought we were very aggressive with our pressure," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "But they made the adjustment, which was a very good move on their part. For the third game in a row we've had problems locating 3-point shooters."

With 9:24 left in the half, Efejuku hit his second trey to put Providence up 27-21. But the Seminoles recovered well enough to take a 34-33 lead on Swann's fall-away jumper.

It proved to be the last Seminoles lead, in part because Providence replied with a 16-7 run to finish the half.

Still, Florida State kept matters close through much of the second half, thanks in large part to hot shooting by Douglas, who scored 13 straight Seminoles points.

His 3-pointer with 9:55 to go cut Providence's lead to 70-68.

Less than two minutes later, Swann knocked down a 3-pointer to answer one by Xavier and knot the game for the final time.

Providence eventually seized command with a 10-2 run in a 1:41 span to take an 87-77 lead with 4:28 to go.

"You have to take games," Hamilton said. "People are not going to give them to you. You have to be consistent throughout the whole game, because the Friars have a strong desire to win, too."

INSIDE THE GAME

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Providence guard Jeff Xavier, with 27 points while making seven of 12 3-point attempts.

STAT OF THE GAME: 205. The number of games played by FSU since the last time it allowed 100 points.

TURNING POINT: The 10-2 run by Providence that began with 6:11 remaining and put the Friars up 87-77.

UP NEXT: FSU visits Georgia Tech on Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m.

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