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Noles Pull Out Victory In OT

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By COREY CLARK

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: January 18, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - They gave up 17 offensive rebounds. They missed 17 of their 3-point attempts. They squandered an 11-point lead in the second half.

And they still found a way to win.

The Florida State Seminoles got a game-high 25 points from star guard Toney Douglas, including the team's first seven in overtime, and got key defensive stops down the stretch in a 76-73 win against Maryland on Saturday at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

"This is life in the ACC," said FSU coach Leonard Hamilton, whose team improved to 15-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. "This is very important and a very big victory for us as we go on the road for our next two games."

Midway through the second half, it looked like the Seminoles might cruise to victory. Freshman Luke Loucks (Clearwater High) scored on a reverse layup with 12:07 left to cap a 17-7 run and give FSU a 52-41 lead.

Despite playing an undersized lineup with no starters taller than 6-foot-7, the Terrapins (12-5, 1-2) dominated the offensive glass in the second half to get back in the game.

Maryland had six baskets in the final 12 minutes off putbacks, including Landon Milbourne's layup with 22 seconds left to tie it at 66.

Douglas missed an NBA-range 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to send it to overtime.

Douglas hit a short jumper to give the Seminoles a one-point lead in OT and hit two free throws to tie it on the next possession. He buried a 3-pointer the next trip to give the Seminoles a 73-71 lead with 1:02 left.

"I know my teammates look to me all the time, whether we're up or down," said the senior, who also contributed six rebounds and four steals. "So I've just got to lead by example."

Douglas and freshman Chris Singleton combined to hit three of six free throws down the stretch. FSU forced a Milbourne turnover with six seconds left on a key defensive possession.

Loucks sealed the victory when he intercepted an inbound pass at halfcourt with 1.1 seconds remaining.

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