2017 March Madness: Florida State Seminoles defeat FGCU, advance to second round
By Stuart Gill
FSU Basketball earned the victory in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012, beating the FGCU Eagles 86-80.
The matchup between two of the most prolific dunking teams in the country turned out to be everything that a fan could have hoped for. The game’s first three possessions included a sequence in which FSU’s Michael Ojo earned a steal, finished with a slam, and then was quickly put on a poster by Demetris Morant, being called for the foul. There were home-run blocks, exciting plays in transition, and, of course, some late-game drama. It’s safe to say it was the most interesting game of basketball played in the city of Orlando this season.
Brandon Goodwin (28) led the way for Florida Gulf Coast, shooting 46 percent and dishing out seven assists. On paper, the Eagles didn’t necessarily have their best game. They made less than 1/3 of their 3-point attempts, shot just over 40 percent, and were outrebounded by 20. But they took care of the ball, committing just 11 turnovers, and seemed to control the pace of the ballgame every bit as much as the Seminoles.
When FSU put together a run in the first half, capped off by another Ojo slam with 7:55 remaining to go up 28-19, FGCU rattled off 12 straight points, taking the lead on a big 3-pointer by Rajon Tucker. They would head into halftime down 36-40, though.
The Seminoles made more field goals than the Eagles in fewer attempts, but they hit just two 3-pointers and less than 62 percent of their free throw attempts, keeping the game close throughout. They were extremely active on the defensive end. Christ Koumadje had four of the team’s nine total blocks, and the team earned six steals.
They were extremely active on the defensive end. Christ Koumadje had four of the team’s nine total blocks, and the team earned six steals. Offensively they were anchored by Dwayne Bacon, who dropped 25 points on over 64 percent from the field. He also recorded nine rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Both teams performed excellently and maintained an impressive level of intensity throughout the entire game, but the dynamic shifted when Morant went down with a badly twisted ankle. The senior transfer had a terrific season (10.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and brought a valuable element of leadership and energy to FGCU’s play. When he went down, the Eagles lost a vital part of their squad which very well could have compensated for the eventual six-point deficit.
Next: Is Florida State on upset alert?
The Seminoles advance to face Xavier (22-13) in the West region’s second round on March 17th. Xavier is coming off of a 76-65 upset of the No. 6 seed Maryland. The winner of their matchup will then face the winner of No. 5 Notre Dame’s game against No. 4 West Virginia.