TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow has never seen anything like it since he began coaching in 1970.
South Alabama didn’t make a 3-pointer – going 0 for 24 from beyond the arc – in an 80-39 loss to No. 25 Florida State on Sunday.
“We’ve got three or four really good shooters,” said Arrow, who has coached South Alabama for 13 seasons. “They were just null and void tonight. . When you have guys go 0-for, you’re not going to win very many games. I don’t think I’ve ever had a team go 0-for from the 3-point line. Especially shooting that many.”
The Jaguars (1-2) suffered from a cold-shooting performance all-around, finishing 16 of 68 (23.5 percent) from the floor.
Forward Augustine Rubit scored 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting and pulled down eight rebounds for South Alabama. Rubit scored 16 points in the Jaguars’ season-opening loss at Mississippi State and then had 18 in a win over Mobile.
But on Sunday, he saw constant attention from Florida State’s frontcourt.
“I think the size inside affected him,” Arrow said. “He’s not used to having that type of size consistently. There’s one and then there’s two more coming at you.”
Antione Lundy added nine points and six rebounds for the Jaguars, who had 11 first-half turnovers and finished with 16.
Luke Loucks scored 18 points – one shy of his career high – and Terrance Shannon had 13 of his 15 points in the first half as the Seminoles opened 4-0 for the fifth time in coach Leonard Hamilton’s 10 years at Florida State.
Deividas Dulkys added 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks for Florida State, which finished with 14 blocks.
Loucks had 11 of Florida State’s first 20 points in helping the Seminoles take a 20-10 lead with 11:18 left in the first half.
Florida State continued to pour it on, going on a 24-6 run over the final 8:47 of the half to grab a 51-23 halftime lead.
The Seminoles didn’t back off in the second half, outscoring the Jaguars 29-16.
Shannon shot 6 of 6 for Florida State, which made 25 of 48 (52.1 percent) shots from the floor.
Arrow was impressed with Florida State’s talent and depth in the frontcourt.
“They may have the best front line,” Arrow said. “There’s no doubt that they will be competitors in the ACC.
“If you’re going to beat Florida State, you’re going to have to beat them from the outside. You’re crazy if you think you’re going to go inside and beat them,” Arrow said. “Last year they were No. 1 in the nation in team defense. You’re going to have to beat them from the outside. You’re going to have to nail those shots.”
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