FSU tops Ohio in Paradise Jam Finale

ST THOMAS, Virgin Islands – Florida State jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead and made 15 of 16 free throws in the final 5:54 to defeat Ohio 90-81 in the fourth place game at the Paradise Jam at the Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands. The win gave Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton his 240th win at Florida State and moved him into a tie for 10th place for career wins in ACC history with former Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom.

Florida State improved to 4-1 overall and finished the Paradise Jam with a 2-1 record. The Seminoles defeated both DePaul and Ohio after falling to Hofstra in the first round of the tournament.

The Seminoles scored the first five points of the game on a lay-up by Malik Beasley and a 3-point shot by Dwayne Bacon, scored 15 of the first 17 points and led 16-4 on a Bacon free throw at the 15:15 mark before Ohio was able to get into any rhythm on offense. The Seminoles made each of their first six shots and forced three early turnovers in taking their largest lead of the first half.

"I think we showed that we have some potential," said Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton. "I also think we have a ways to go in terms of sharpening up our defense. I think that we can develop. I was glad to see our effort was good, our execution on offense was better after our first game, our effort was certainly much better on defense after the first game but our execution on our defensive fundamentals were not were not as sharp as they need to be. I think, though, that we are making progress."

Bacon (25 points) and Beasley (22) led four Seminoles in scoring as they both reached the 20 point plateau for the third time in the first five games of the season. It marked the third time Bacon scored at least 20 points in a game and the fourth time Beasley has scored at least 20 points in the first five games of their careers. Beasley was named the ACC Rookie of the Week on Monday – one week after Bacon earned the same honor.

"In the first five games of the season, Dwayne and Malik have shown that they are athletic, they are smart and that they are talented," said Hamilton. "They have to continue to grow as most freshmen need to and must continue to improve defensively. But their effort is good, their attitude is good and I know they are going to continue growing and developing."

Also in double figure scoring for Florida State were senior Boris Bojanovsky and sophomore Xavier Rathan-Mayes as both players scored 14 points. Rathan-Mayes led the Seminoles with six assists.

Florida State led for the entire first half and were ahead 45-38 at the half as they shot 64.3 percent from the field.

The Bobcats did not wilt under the pressure of playing an ACC team as they outscored the Seminoles 24-14 in the first 10 minutes of the second half and took their first lead of the game at 62-59 on a 3-point shot by Jordan Dartis at the 9:59 mark. Dartis led Ohio with 24 points on four made 3-point shots.

Florida State responded quickly and tied the game at 62-62 on Beasley's second 3-point shot of the night at the 9:19 mark. The Seminoles then re-took the lead for good on a jumper by Bacon to put the Seminoles up 64-62. Florida State increased its lead to as many as three with 6:34 left to play at 73-66 on a lay-up by Rathan-Mayes.

From there it became a free throw shooting contest which allowed Florida State to close out the Bobcats.

During the final 5:56 of the game the Seminoles made 15 of 16 free throws to extend their lead to as many as 13 and eventually the final margin of nine points.

Bojanovsky, Beasley and senior Devon Bookert made four free throws each, Rathan-Mayes was a perfect on two shots and junior Benji Bell made one of two free throws as Florida State outscored Ohio 21-16 to gain the victory.

Senior Montay Brandon, who scored four points, blocked two shots and earned a key first half steal, stressed Florida State's continuous need to grow as players.

"We learned a lot about ourselves in this game and in this tournament," said Brandon. "We are improving each day and that's what's important. We have some time off before we play at Iowa and we have a lot of work to do before that game. But we are all excited at the direction we are moving in as players and as a team."

Florida State is off until it travels to play at Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 2. Â