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Fast start fizzles for Florida State as rival Gators pull away for 76-67 victory

On3 imageby: Ira Schoffel11/19/22iraschoffel
On3 image
Florida State guard Caleb Mills drives to the basket Friday night against the Florida Gators. (Courtesy of FSU Sports Information)

We got a glimpse Friday night of what this Florida State men’s basketball team could be when it gets closer to full strength. But in the end, it was only a glimpse.

After sprinting out to a 17-point halftime lead thanks to relentless defense and an inspired effort on the glass, the Seminoles came crashing down to earth in the second half. The rival Florida Gators opened the second period with a 26-5 run and cruised to a 76-67 victory.

Florida State falls to 0-4 on the season, while the Gators improve to 3-1.

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Box Score: Florida 76, FSU 67

“You’ve got to give credit to Florida for just going out and doing what they had to do in the second half to put themselves in position to win,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. “It’s not easy to go on the road, be down 17 at the half, come back and try to figure out a way to win.”

Aided by the return of three injured players — center Naheem McLeod, forward De’Ante Green and point guard Chandler Jackson — the Seminoles were all over the Gators from the opening tip and took a 43-26 lead into halftime. Guard Darin Green Jr. had 12 points in the first period, and guard Matthew Cleveland had 10. Cleveland also had six rebounds.

Florida, meanwhile, shot just 8-of-29 from the field and 1-of 12 from 3-point range before intermission. And Florida star Colin Castleton was held to six points in the first half on 2-of-4 shooting

But the second half was a completely different story.

The Gators came out energized on defense and used their full-court press to force the Seminoles into a slew of turnovers. And Castleton finally got going; he finished the night with 25 points and nine rebounds.

“We’ve always been able to fight pressure [defense],” Hamilton said. “Tonight, I thought we gave into it. … They got easy points on turnovers that I thought we could have handled a little better.”

Eleven of the Seminoles’ 16 turnovers came in the second half. The Seminoles got out-rebounded for the game, 42-32.

FSU was led by Caleb Mills with 21 points; Green and Cleveland eached scored 14.

De’Ante Green (knee) and Jackson (hand) only played briefly during their first college action, but their return is much-welcomed for the Seminoles, who recently played with a six-man rotation.

Star center transfer Jaylan Gainey is out for the season, and highly touted freshman forward Baba Miller is out for the first 16 games due to an NCAA ruling.

Florida State returns home Monday to face visiting Mercer at 6:30 p.m.

***Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU Basketball fans on our Seminole Hoops Message Board.**

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