Wayne E McGahee III

Tallahassee Democrat

Florida State improved to 2-0 on the season with a convincing 99-78 victory over Iona.

The Gaels jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game, but FSU took over after a 9-0 run between the first and second media timeouts behind six early points from guard Dwayne Bacon.

The Seminoles didn’t look back.

FSU built a double digit lead on the backs of Bacon, Terance Mann, and Phil Cofer who combined for 25 of FSU’s first 37 points.

It would have been even worse for the Gaels, but the Seminoles struggled from the free throw line. They were just 12 for 21 from the line in the first half.

Still, FSU took a 47-32 lead into the half behind a stunning offensive output. The Seminoles shot 60.7 percent from the floor and had 22 points from the bench.

"When you get stops and you hold people to 32 percent in the first half, it gives you a lot of opportunities to get out and get some easy baskets with deflections," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.

"...If we continue to play good defense we'll create some offense from our defense."

The Seminoles continued to play well in the second half, and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the game.

FSU picked up the defensive pressure, and pushed the lead to 20 with 13:07 in the game. The Gaels shot just 42.4 in the second half, and had 8 turnovers.

Former FSU star Sam Cassell Sr.’s son, Sam Cassell Jr., led Iona with 28 points. He was one of just three Gaels to score in double figures.

"We didn't do a very good job with Cassell," Hamilton said.

"He's capable of doing that. He's just one of those outstanding guys. Once he gets it going it's pretty difficult to handle him."

The Seminoles finished the game shooting 57.6 from the field, but just 23.5 from three point range. They dominated on the glass with 45 rebounds to Iona’s 31 rebounds, and outscored the Gaels in the paint 52-18.

"That's something that we're going to be trying to do all year," FSU forward Jarquez Smith said.

"We're a really big team with an advantage on the inside. Once we get started on the inside it leaves our perimeter open for the kick out and the three."

Star of the game

Florida State freshman forward Jonathan Isaac has just four points in the first half, but turned it on in the second to finish the game with 20 points. He led all FSU scorers in the game.

Isaac showed an ability to get to the basket from any point on the court, and had excellent shot selection. He made six of his eight field goal attempts, and shot well at the free throw line going six for seven.

"He's a crazy scorer," Bacon said.

"Like I've said before, he can lead this team in so many ways. He's a great player. I feel like me and him, it's a punch from both."

It is Isaac’s second consecutive game in double-digits and his first game with 20 or more points. He also had 6 rebounds in the game.

Stats of the game

27 – The number of free throws FSU made on 40 attempts. FSU started off ice cold from the free throw line making just 3 of 10, but finished strong after going 24 for 30.

37.3 - Iona’s field goal percentage for the game. The Seminoles defense was stifling all night long, and made it very hard for the Gaels to get any easy shots.

6 – The number of FSU players that scored in double figures. Isaac, Mann, Cofer, Bacon, Smith, and Forrest all had 10 or more points.

Up next

Florida State will play Winthrop on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Winthrop is 2-0 on the season after defeating Manhattan 94-81 Tuesday.

FSU Men's Basketball

FSU 99 Iona 78

Iona: Cassell Jr. 8-21 5-14 28, McGill 2-5 1-2 8, Severe 5-6 1-1 12, Much 2-12 1-8 5, Williams 1-1 0-0 4, Crawford 1-3 1-2 3, Casimir 0-5 0-1 0, Turner 0-2 0-1 0, Washington 5-9 0-0 16

FSU: Bacon 3-7 1-4 10, Isaac 6-8 6-7 20, Mann 5-5 0-0 12, Cofer 6-8 0-0 13, Forrest 5-8 0-1 10, Smith 3-5 0-1 12, Rathan-Mayes 2-6 1-4 9, Walker 1-4 0-2 6, Angola-Rodas 1-5 0-2 2, Koumadje 1-2 0-0 2, Ojo 1-1 0-0 3

Three point field goals: Iona 9-31 (Cassell 5-14) FSU 4-17 (Isaac 2-3) Rebounds: Iona 31 (Severe 5) FSU 45 (Smith 7, Isaac 6, Mann 6) Turnovers: Iona 14 FSU 20 Steals: Iona 10 (Severe 3) FSU 7 (Isaac 2, Bacon 2, Forrest 2)