Tallahassee, Fla.?Uche Echefu scored a career-high 18 points and Isaiah Swann added 14 as Florida State defeated Georgia State, 78-48, Tuesday at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla.
Ousman Krubally scored a career-high 11 points and Justin Billinglea also scored 11 to lead the Panthers, who fell to 0-3 on the season. Rashad Chase had third straight double-figure rebounding effort with 11 boards and Kevin Lott added eight points, his career high, but Georgia State, which was within 10 points with nine minutes left, struggled to take care of the basketball.
Florida State (4-2) outshot the Panthers, 49 percent to 33 percent, from the field, hit seven of 18 three-pointers and forced 26 Georgia State turnovers.
“It was a tough game for us, playing an ACC team on their floor,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “Give Leonard Hamilton's team a lot of credit. They did a good job, coming off two tough losses. They shot the ball well and they did a good job pressuring us. We didn't handle it well, but they're talented and athletic.
“I'm proud of our kids because we played hard,” continued Barnes, whose squad outrebounded Florida State, 41-30. “We didn't execute very well, but we got back to playing hard, which we didn't do Saturday against Elon. I told our team that if we play hard like that and continue to correct our mistakes, then we have a chance to have a good season.”
After trailing by as many as 19 early in the second half, Georgia State cut the lead to 10 points on Billinglea's field goal at 9:14 mark, which pulled the Panthers within 50-40, but Florida State scored the next nine points to extend its advantage to 59-40 with 6:50 to play. The Seminoles outscored Georgia State, 28-8, over the last nine minutes for the final margin.
“We all know why the score was what it was ? we turned the ball over too much,” said Barnes. “Some of it was because of their pressure, and some of it was because of our mistakes. But give credit to Florida State. The way they pressure the ball and get after you defensively, that's the way we want to play at Georgia State.
“We're grateful for the opportunity to play an ACC team on the road. This will be a good learning experience for our team.”
After the Panthers scored the first two points of the game, Florida State never trailed again, building a 35-21 advantage at the intermission. The Seminoles shot 50 percent in the first half to just 26 percent for Georgia State. Florida State led 48-30 before the Panthers used a 10-2 run, which included three baskets by Billingslea, to pull within 50-40.
Georgia State returns home to host Troy Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Georgia State Sports Arena.
--30--
