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Douglas Shows Savvy In FSU's 65-61 Victory

The Associated Press

Florida State's Deividas Dulkys (right) steals the ball against La Salle's Ruben Guillandeaux.

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: November 19, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - There would be no doubt.

With the game tied and about a half-minute remaining in cozy Gola Arena on the La Salle campus, it would be up to senior Toney Douglas to decide the outcome of another problematic road game for a Florida State basketball team full of new faces.

It was Douglas, after all, who lifted the Seminoles (2-0) out of a seven-point deficit with under nine minutes remaining by making four consecutive shots that included three from 3-point range. And sure enough, there was Douglas near game's end handling the ball with a chance to score a potential game-winner and add to his 18 points.

But instead, with a quick pass to his left, Douglas found freshman Jordan DeMercy.

"We have guys that are capable of making plays, and Toney understands that and he took what the defense gave him," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.

And in this case, that meant dishing the ball off to DeMercy.

La Salle (1-1) failed in its counterpunch by committing a turnover, and DeMercy sealed a 65-61 victory with two free throws to finish with nine points. Much of the credit for FSU's second victory goes to Douglas.

Meanwhile, senior forward Uche Echefu returned to action following knee surgery to score six points and grab three rebounds.

FLORIDA ST. (65) - DeMercy 3-6 3-4 9, Singleton 2-6 2-4 6, Reid 4-7 3-5 11, Alabi 1-4 4-4 6, Douglas 5-14 4-5 18, Gibson 0-0 3-4 3, Loucks 0-2 0-0 0, Dulkys 2-5 0-0 6, Echefu 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 19-48 21-28 65.

LA SALLE (61) - Goodridge 3-7 1-2 7, Mekongo Mbala 4-10 4-4 13, J.Williams 3-6 3-4 10, Barrett 3-8 2-4 8, Green 3-15 0-1 6, Partin 1-2 0-0 2, Johnson 2-3 3-3 7, Guillandeaux 3-9 0-0 8. Totals 22-60 13-18 61.

Halftime-La Salle 22-19. 3-Point Goals-Florida St. 6-15 (Douglas 4-7, Dulkys 2-4, Singleton 0-1, Loucks 0-1, DeMercy 0-2), La Salle 4-21 (Guillandeaux 2-5, J.Williams 1-3, Mekongo Mbala 1-5, Johnson 0-1, Barrett 0-3, Green 0-4). Fouled Out-Reid. Rebounds-Florida St. 34 (Alabi 7), La Salle 36 (Mekongo Mbala 11). Assists-Florida St. 13 (DeMercy 4), La Salle 16 (Green 7). Total Fouls-Florida St. 20, La Salle 19. A-3,314.

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