Written by Ernie Casanova
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL— In what was an exciting first day of the Advocare Invitational, four teams are looking forward to Friday while four other teams are trying to bounce back from losses. On an afternoon filled with entertaining matchups and colorful crowds, Florida State and UAB gave the remaining fans in attendance a great nightcap to finish off the opening round. Each team took advantage of their free throw chances and displayed resiliency. Both teams played really hard, but the Seminoles toppled UAB by a score of 81-63.
Florida State jumped out to a quick start after PJ Savoy drained two consecutive three-pointers to give them a 6-0 lead. After a couple of free throws from forward Lewis Sullivan gave UAB their first points, Mfiondu Kabengele made two of his own after for Florida State. It was 8-2 four minutes into the contest, and UAB started a 6-0 run to tie it all at 8-8. Kabengel went back to the charity stripe for two more free throws and hit them both. Florida State started to slowly develop a lead the more they had a chance to distribute the ball, but due to UAB’s physical defensive approach, it was hard for the Seminoles to stay off the free throw line. FSU built a 27-15 lead after a Davin Vassell three-pointer, and UAB struck back. The Blazers used a quick five point run to cut their deficit down to seven, but it was much like we had all the seen the entire day
The Seminoles scored six straight points to once again build a comfortable lead and converted on three free throws and a jumper to finish the half. Up 42-31, the Seminoles along with their fans went into halftime fired up. Christ Koumadje struck first in the second half with an opening layup. After another 6-0 run by UAB, the Seminoles used a 13-2 run to take a 57-39 lead with just under 12 minutes remaining. The Seminoles scored 24 points in 10 minutes, and 13 were from free throw range. If the Blazers were going to go down, they weren’t going to go down without a fight.
The Blazers and the Seminoles totaled for 42 fouls throughout the game, and both teams shot over 80% from the free throw line. UAB struggled in keeping up from long range as they shot a dismal 14% from three. The Seminoles went 6-18 (33%) from beyond the arc and had five team blocks. Great defense and ball movement from each team, but the Seminoles proved to be superior just for tonight.
Tyree Scott-Grayson led the way for the Blazers with 16 points as he was the lone player on UAB to finish in double figures. Zack Bryant finished behind him with nine points and four assists, while Jeremiah Bell added eight points. Terance Mann led the Seminoles in strong fashion with 17 points, shooting 100% from the field (5-5). Behind him was Koumaje with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kabengele and Savoy each finished with 10.
The Seminoles will now take on LSU at 4:30PM ET on Friday in the next round in hopes for a Championship berth, while UAB will play in the consolation stages next against Charleston at 7:00PM ET that night.
