Short-handed TU falls to FSU
BY Staff Reports
Sunday, December 30, 2012
12/30/12 at 6:48 AM
SUNRISE, Fla. - The absence of forwards D'Andre Wright and Rashad Smith, combined with sub-standard shooting, doomed the University of Tulsa basketball team in its Orange Bowl Classic contest with Florida State.
With Michael Snaer scoring 19 points and Terrance Shannon contributing 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, the Seminoles prevailed 82-63 at the BB&T Center on Saturday.
While the Golden Hurricane (7-6) was excellent from 3-point range, connecting on 11 of its 24 attempts, its shooting from 2-point range was dismal. TU converted on only 11-of-32 shots from 2-point range, committed 17 turnovers and had a 44-32 deficit in rebounding.
The 6-foot-7 Smith missed his ninth consecutive game because of a foot injury, while Wright - a 6-8 freshman who has been Tulsa's most consistent big man - was sidelined with a left-leg injury.
For Wednesday's home date against Buffalo (TU's first home game since Dec. 8), Wright's status is uncertain. Smith recently said that he hopes to be in the TU lineup for the Jan. 6 Conference USA opener at SMU.
Against Florida State, Hurricane junior guard Pat Swilling Jr. made his first start and scored a season-high total of 19 points (17 during the opening half). Scottie Haralson scored all of his 17 points during the second half.
Freshman guard James Woodard, one of Tulsa's heroes during last week's comeback victory at Oral Roberts, managed only eight points on 2-of-10 shooting against Florida State.
The Seminoles led 36-33 at halftime, then buried TU with an 18-5 run that extended their lead to 64-49. During that sequence, the Hurricane was scoreless on 11 of its 13 possessions.
Now 8-4, Florida State shot 57 percent from the field during the second half.
Associated Images:
|
