Game Blog:Good end to bad game
Toney Douglas of Florida State handles the ball against Georgia Tech during the second round of the ACC Tournament on March 13, 2009.
Mar 13, 2009
4:38pm: Florida State 64 Georgia Tech 62 FINAL
The Seminoles survive a scare from the host Yellow Jackets at the ACC tournament. In the end it was just a little too much Toney Douglas and just enough Solomon Alabi. Alabi altered shots and displayed good touch. For GT Lewis Clinch ended a roller coaster career in style with 25 points and 32 yesterday in a win over Clemson. The Noles now get a showdown with the top seed UNC Tar Heels in the early match-up tomorrow. Not the best game ever played with 37 turnovers combined. FSU shot 49% for the game and made the buckets when they needed.
4:37pm: Derwin Kitchen with a reverse and the foul...FSU goes up 64-62
4:32pm: GT 62-61 with 24.9 left
Zach Peacoack just hits a baseline jumper to put GT in the lead. After a terrible non call after a missed shot, GT retained possession on the left baseline Peacock rose up to give the Jackets their first lead since 2-0. FSU has the last shot, a guess here but Douglas will probably take it.
4:30pm: 61-60 FSU...
The Noles just missed three lay-ups with a chance to extend the lead, ball out of bounds to the Jackets with a chance to take the lead for the first time since 2-0.
4:21pm: FSU 61 GT 58---2:43 left in the contest
Remember the video game Larry Bird versus Dr. J for your PC when you were a kid? That is exactly what this game has turned into offensiveley between FSU's Douglas and GT's Clinch each with 25. The Jackets have started to press after made baskets and that has lead to more turnovers. There has been some slack picked up by Florida State's Solomon Alabi who has shown great touch around the basket. The final 2 minutes should at least have the of the last game, even though the game has been played at a level way below the opener today.
4:10pm: FSU 54 GT 51 with 7:08 left in the game
Where has this Georgia Tech team been all year? Two games where the effort has been superb, however 16 turnovers most unforced have helped keep GT in striking distance. Some entertainment from a Nole other than Dougles as #3 Luke Loucks took out two of his teammates on consecutive plays to give the ball to and keep it with GT. Paul Hewitt might want to thank him. Douglas/Clinch update: Both have 22 points.
4:01pm: Life left in georgia Tech...Noles up 49-46 10:58 left
The referees are letting them play, a lot of contact going on underneath that is going uncalled. Clinch and Douglas both have 19 points, but it is the supporting cast for GT that is stepping up. Gani Lawal has 7 and is starting to run the floor and play solid D underneath. The Noles have had opportunity to run away, but they keep fumbling that away.
3:57pm: Noles up six FSU 47 GT 41
Well there is a reason to watch this game Toney Douglas and Lewis Clinch other than that...keep reading the blog.
3:48pm: FSU 41 GT 36 15:18 left in the game
The points have picked up in the second half for both teams but GT can't make a push to get closer. If the Noles can clean up their game this could be over by the 8 minute mark, but FSU keeps giving the Jackets life with 14 turnovers and still poor shot selection.
3:36pm: Second half ready to go
The teams are back on the floor and ready to start the second half. GT needs to get the running game going and get the ball to Lewis Clinch. The senior has eleven coming off of a 30 plus performance yesterday...Jackets open with the ball and need a score.
3:22pm: FSU 33 GT 27 End of the frst half
Florida State plays an unispired 20 minutes but has a 6 point lead. It is dangerous to keep a team like the Yellow Jackets hanging around. Toney Douglas has 13 at the break but it has been a boring first half with little flow. the teams have combined for 22 turnovers with FSU giving away 12 possessions but the Jackets have only turned that into 7 points. If FSU comes out of the half with any type of run it could end this game. Best thing abotu the half, the loud chant of defense has finally subsided. Off to enjoy the great media room here at the Dome.
3:08pm: FSU 29 GT 20 3:31 left in the first
The Noles have taken control with a 14-5 run and Toney Douglas is the reason why getting out and running. FSU is starting to get some easy looks int he half court and are contesting almost every GT shot. Paul Hewitt might want to go back to the press with his team and force the Noles to break it or at least have them hurry over the line. ALso I thought the FSU band was loud, but nothing compared to the female Noles fan sitting directly behind me...I am hoping to have my hearing after this game.
2:57pm: FSU 15 GT 15, 7:52 left in the first
The Jackets are on a 9-0 run over the last four minutes, but it is due more to the lack of offense by FSU. Poor shots, turnovers and bad fouls are hurting Leonard Hamiltons team. The Noles come out fo the dead ball looking to regain their touch. GT is pressing, which could lead to easy buckets.
2:55pm: FSU 15 GT 12, 9:03 to go in the first half
It doesn't look like any scoring records are going to be broken in this one. The Jackets need to force FSU into a faster pace, playing a half court game is not something that GT wants here. Noles Douglas has been scoreless for nearly 7 minutes.
2:40pm: FSU 11 GT 5, 15:38 to go in the first
Toney Douglas has four points early and the Seminoles have to love the pace of the game. Half court offense and hardly any fast break chances. Lewis Clinch is the only player to score for GT. The Jackets need to pick up the pace.
2:35pm: Douglas gets on the board
2 minutes into the game FSU's Douglas gets on the board to give the Noles a 4-2 lead. The early going is filled with air balls and whistles.
2:30pm: Tip-off
Alabi versus Lawal, tap won by FSU...and first offensive possession comes up with a a give-away that leads to a GT Lewis Clinch dunk. 2-0 GT
2:10pm: Warming Up
The twelve seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on Toney Douglas and four seed Florida State. These two teams have a lot to live up to after North Carolina/Virginia Tech, the first game of the day still has the fans buzzing in the Georgia Dome. This game comes down to controlling the tempo: fast paced favors the Cinderella Yellow Jackets who become the third twelve seed to to win in four tries since the ACC expanded, the slower the better for the Seminoles. No injuries to report, no feuds between players to light a fire, just a chance to play Carolina in the Semi-Finals on Saturday. Florida State knows they are int he NCAA tournament, Georgia Tech just wants one more game and a chance to be the second twelve to reach Saturday. Will the Atlanta advantage benefit GT? Or will the loudest school band I have ever heard FSU's drown out the home cooking? again it comes down to pace...
