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FSU Rallies For Win Over Yellow Jackets

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By COREY CLARK

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: February 6, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - In March, when the Florida State men are looking back at the regular season, they might just point to Thursday night's game against Georgia Tech as one of the biggest wins of the year.

The Seminoles (17-5, 4-3 ACC) shot just 30.9 percent for the game. They were just 4-for-23 from 3-point range. They allowed 15 offensive rebounds. And they won 62-58.

"I am elated," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "This is a game that was very, very important."

The fact that the Yellow Jackets (10-11, 1-7) are in last place in the league is why Thursday night's win could end up being so monumental.

The Seminoles simply couldn't afford to lose.

"I really appreciate the win," FSU senior guard Toney Douglas said. "I know my teammates do. Everyone sees Georgia Tech at 1-6, so we're supposed to win this game regardless - even though they can be capable of being one of the best teams in the league."

Thanks to Douglas, who once again played his best when his team needed it the most, the Seminoles picked up their fourth conference victory. Douglas scored 21 points and had a career-high six steals. He also knocked down seven straight free throws in the second half.

"There's no doubt he's our go-to-guy," Hamilton said. "Every team in the ACC has their guy they go to when the game is on the line."

After hitting just nine of 29 shots in the first half, and allowing 10 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points, the Noles went into halftime trailing 31-25.

"We were tentative in the first half, for whatever reason," Hamilton said.

The coach was not happy. He let his team know it, too.

"I told them we had to grow up, to be very honest with you," Hamilton said. "That we had to grow up and that we were better than the way we were playing."

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