At the Buzzer: Florida State 81, Florida 60 (Instant Breakdown)
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
No. 17 FLORIDA STATE 81, FLORIDA 60
No. 17 FLORIDA STATE 81, FLORIDA 60
WHAT HAPPENED: Senior guard PJ Savoy scored 20 points to lead a Seminoles onslaught that shot 48 percent from both the floor and 3-point line, but it was an equaling devastating display by the FSU defense that paved the way Tuesday night at Tucker Civic Center for the most lopsided victory in the series against the Noles since 1995. It took mere minutes for the 2018-19 season opener to morph into a totally one-sided affair. The Seminoles' size in the front court, much like last year, completely stunted the Gators on offense. UF scored just 20 points in the first half, trailed by 17 less than two minutes into the second half and by as many as 35. When the night was done, the Gators had shot just 37 percent overall and made just six of 24 shots (25 percent) from the 3-point line. UF was led by sophomore guard DeAundrae Ballard's 13 points off the bench and 11 from fifth-year senior and preseason All-Southeastern Conference swingman Jalen Hudson, who went just 3-for-10 from the floor and 1-for-5 from deep. Besides Savoy, FSU got 13 points and five assists from point guard Trent Forrest, while 11 different Seminoles got in the scoring column.
WHAT IT MEANS: A fifth straight loss to the Seminoles extends what already was the longest such skid for Florida against its cross-state rival in the series that dates to 1951.The outcome also broke UF's run of 29 straight season-opening victories, dating to the 1991-92 campaign. As far as this team and this season, not many opponents the Gators play will be as big, brutish and battle-tested as the Seminoles, but no one on the bus home will take much positive away from anything that happened on either end of the floor. Coach Mike White, meanwhile, has to find a way to get more (much more) from a front court that combined for just 16 points.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On the first Florida possession of the game, UF freshman point guard Andrew Nembhard took Forrest off the dribble and nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Gators a 3-0 lead. It was the Gators' highlight of the night. Nembhard, facing quite a task not only this season but in starting his career against such a veteran and physical bunch in the Seminoles, played a game-high 34 minutes, scored 12 points, pitched four assists and turned the ball over four times.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: UF senior shooting guard KeVaughn Allen, the No. 30 scorer in UF history with 1,297 points, came into the game (and the season) looking to bounce back from a junior year that produced career lows in scoring average, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage. Allen missed all four of his field-goal attempts and went scoreless for just the fifth time in his 107-game career. Worth noting: When Allen faced FSU as a freshman, he scored 32 points.
UP NEXT: Florida (0-1) plays its home opener Friday night against Charleston Southern. The Buccaneers (1-0), out of the Big South Conference, opened their season Tuesday night by defeating NAIA opponent Columbia International 100-68.
Players Mentioned
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