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Published Mar 10, 2012
FSUs poised effort leads to 82-71 win over Miami
D.C. Reeves
Warchant.com Managing Editor
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"I thought in the second half they were playing more aggressive than us and went on that run, everyone just came together and said 'We're not letting this happen,'" guard Luke Loucks said. "We not only have to match their aggressiveness, but exceed it, and I think we really did that in closing the game.
The Hurricanes' final stand came with 4:10 to play as Kenny Jadji's jumper made it 62-59. Then came an 8-0 run from the Seminoles over the next 2:05 - points produced by four different players - that gave FSU a 70-59 lead and effectively put the game out of reach.
"I thought we maintained our poise, we didn't get rattled," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "Once we settled down, I thought we regrouped, regained our focus, executed a lot better, made some baskets and got some stops."
"I thought we gave ourselves a chance in the second half when we cut the lead to 62-59, and Florida State stepped it up and we were not able to finish as well as we would have liked," Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. "A lot of credit goes to them. They played a terrific game from start to finish."
Florida State gave Miami no extra chances, either, netting 16 of 18 free throw attempts in the final 4:10. Loucks was a perfect 8 of 8 at the stripe down the stretch.
"To have a chance to knock down free throws in a tight game when it really counted, it was good," Loucks said.
Florida State built a nine-point halftime lead behind a 7-of-12 effort from 3-point range. Five different Seminoles hit shots from behind the arc in the first half. Junior Michael Snaer netted a game-high 20 points and went 4 of 5 on 3-pointers.
FSU, which fell to Miami 78-62 last month, finished 9-of-16 from behind the arc.
"We executed very well, played very well and played to each other," Hamilton said.
That what teams that challenge for championships can do. Today's tilt against Duke could send a statement in that regard.
"I think we know we have a tremendous opportunity to do something great," Snaer said.
Notable
  • Bernard James tore a tendon in his left thumb during the second half of Friday's game. The finger was wrapped and he returned to the contest. James said he would have to keep it wrapped throughout the remainder of the season.
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