TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FSU Responds To Challenge

ADVERTISEMENT

By DOUG BLACKBURN

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: November 23, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Leonard Hamilton had seen enough.

With 7:49 left in the first half of Florida State's game against winless Coastal Carolina on Saturday, FSU's men's basketball coach was livid.

For good reason. The Seminoles trailed by 14 and looked like they were going to get blown out.

Hamilton used a media timeout to challenge his players. He got in their faces, looking at each of them.

"You can either be boys or you can be men," Hamilton told them.

Message delivered.

Senior guard Toney Douglas poured in 20 of his game-high 30 points during the next seven minutes as FSU took a three-point lead into the locker room. The Seminoles pulled away in the second half for an 82-70 victory in front of a crowd of 5,427.

The win was unbeaten FSU's fourth in eight days.

"Obviously we are still a work in progress," Hamilton said. "These close games will give us more of an opportunity to teach.

"These are very valuable games for us as we move into even tougher competition."

There was plenty for Hamilton to savor during the Seminoles' widest margin of victory this season.

There was Douglas, who was nine of 15 from the floor, including six of nine on 3-pointers. He was perfect on six foul shots, had four steals and tied for team honors with six rebounds.

Chris Singleton also continues to sparkle. The freshman added 17 points - including a pair of 3-pointers - along with four steals.

But the most pleasant surprise for Hamilton was freshman guard Luke Loucks, who came off the bench to spark the Seminoles' defense when they were trailing by double figures in the first half.

Loucks, from Clearwater High, had back-to-back steals in the backcourt that he turned in to easy layups as FSU took the lead. He finished with a career-high 14 points and six assists.

"Luke played a good game," Douglas said. "He played his role tonight. He hit open jump shots. He was aggressive.

"We're going to need that from him. I'm glad I got him with me."

Mario Edwards led Coastal Carolina with 18 points and added eight rebounds. The Chanticleers, coached by FSU alum Cliff Ellis, are 0-3.

"There's one word about this game for us and it's turnovers," Ellis said. "We didn't handle the pressure the way we needed to."

Ellis previously coached at Auburn, where he had recruited FSU's Douglas to begin his college career. Ellis parted ways with the Tigers before Douglas arrived on campus, however, and Douglas transferred to FSU after one year at Auburn.

"Toney wants the ball and wants to score, but he tries to get others involved," Ellis said. "He didn't really go at it until that team was in a hole.

"He's really matured over the years as a college player. I think he'll be an All-ACC player this year."

TAMPA 92, FLORIDA MEMORIAL 56: Rashad Callaway scored a career-high 31 points to lead the University of Tampa (3-0) past Florida Memorial (1-3).

Callaway was 7-for-7 from 3-point range. Fred Woods added 12 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, and Johnathan Ball scored 11 points.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT