Florida State Snaps CSU's Five Game Winning Streak

Photo by Tim Andrews

TALLAHASSE, FLA. : The Seminoles (6-3) proved too much for the Buccaneers (5-3): handing CSU their first loss in five games 76-51 in Tallahassee, Fla. on Dec. 5.

Kelvin Martin and Saah Nimley both had 13 for the Buccaneers, with Martin adding a team high eight boards. CSU struggled from the field, only converting 17 of 57 shots. The Bucs shot 28% from the three point line while scoring 14 in both points off of turnovers and points in the paint. Okaro White led the way for the Seminoles with 20; FSU shot 48% from the field and muscled in 42 points in the paint.

Saah Nimley hit a triple at the 17:55 mark to give the Bucs the early 3-2 advantage. A three by FSU’s John Kreft would put Florida State up 18 before a Sheldon Strickland three pointer would cut the deficit to 15 at 25-10.  A steal and lay up by Jeff Peterson would extend the Seminole lead to 40-14 before Chris Grier would answer with a deep three to cut the FSU advantage to 40-17 with 2:51 remaining in the first half. The teams would exchange turnovers down the stretch and FSU would go into half time with a 45-18 lead. The Buccaneers shot 5-25 from the field and 3-12 from beyond the arc in the first half. CSU scored two points off of turnovers compared to FSU’s 18 and two points in the paint in comparison to FSU’s 20.  Saah Nimley led the way with nine while Chris Grier and Sheldon Strickland both had three for the Buccaneers. Kelvin Martin had five rebounds to go along with one steal and one assist. FSU was led by Xavier Gibson’s eight points, five rebounds and two assists.

 Martin started off the second half with a jumper for the first points of the second half, 22-45 FSU. Martin would snag a rebound at the 14:24 mark and get rewarded by a Strickland assist for a lay up to bring CSU within 27 at 26-53.  Nimley would hit a triple off an assist from Mathiang Muo to bring the Bucs within 21 at 53-32 with less than 12 minutes remaining. An Arlon Harper lay up would make it 36-58 FSU with 8:41 remaining. Martin would hit his first three point of the season with 3:51 remaining to bring CSU within 28 at 41-69.  Grier would hit a three pointer with three seconds left to wrap up the game with FSU getting the 76-51 victory in Tallahassee.

 The Buccaneers will take a week off before heading down the road to take on city rival The Citadel on Dec. 14 at 7:05 p.m.