Florida State University Athletics
‘Noles Win 94-51 In First Exhibition Game Against Mississippi College
10/28/2021 9:08:56 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (seminoles.com) – Senior RayQuan Evans scored a team high 17 points and five Seminoles scored in double figures to lead Florida State to a 94-51 win over Mississippi College in its first of two exhibition games at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Evans scored 17 points, was credited with three assists and one steal as the Seminoles scored 10 of the first 11 points of the game and won going away.
The Seminoles’ game against Mississippi College was the first of two exhibition games before their regular season opener against Penn on Nov. 10 at the Tucker Center. Florida State plays host to Florida College in its second exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 5 with a special 6:00 p.m. tip-off time.
Redshirt senior Malik Osborne scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Also in double figures for the Seminoles were Caleb Mills and Wyatt Wilkes with 11 points each and Tanor Ngom with 10.
“Not bad for our first exhibition game,” said Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. “We needed to play against another opponent. Physically, our effort was good. I thought we lost our concentration a lot on our block outs. I think this team has potential, but we are a long way from being in sync. The quality of our depth shows that we can be effective like we have been in the past.
“We like the team but I believe we showed that we have a little ways to go.”
Florida State shot .613 from the field and held Mississippi College to a .286 shooting percentage from the field and a .294 mark from the 3-point line. The Seminoles shot .714 in the first half (20 of 28) in taking a 47-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. The home team shot .529 percent in the second half as they outscored Mississippi College by a 47-23 score to reach the final margin.
Matthew Cleveland and Jalen Warley, a pair of heralded freshmen, scored eight and pulled down four rebounds each. Cleveland had five assists.
Evans shot the basketball well as he made of six of 10 shots from the field – a total that included three made 3-point field goals. He totaled 10 first half points to stake Florida State to their 21-point halftime advantage.
Evans is realizing the benefits of a full summer and fall of preseason practice and conditioning on his game heading into his third season as a Seminole.
“This off-season was very important,” said Evans. “There was a lot of communication involved with what players’ roles are going to be, what’s expected of them and what’s expected of this team. To be able to have that communication all summer, have an official off-season, have those extra practices, those extra scrimmages, and those extra reps were very beneficial to helping me understand my role.”
Florida State outrebounded Mississippi College by a 44-33 margin while recording nine blocks and 11 steals. The Seminoles led by 45 points towards the end of the second half.
Osborne pulled down 10 of his 13 rebounds on the defensive end.
“Everyday day I am challenged by the coaching staff about getting on the boards, getting on the glass and utilizing my athletic ability,” said Osborne. “I’ve taken that challenge serious and personal this year. I want to be as good as I possibly can on the glass and really just maximize my athleticism because I know that’s what my team will need throughout the season.
“We just have such an athletic and long team that everyone is capable of grabbing double digit rebounds if they put their mind to it. This was setting an example as a leader.”
Florida State was certainly efficient in their win over Mississippi College. Florida State totaled 20 assists on 38 baskets, forced 17 turnovers and made eight of 19 3-point shots while limiting the Choctaws to only seven made 3-point shots on 26 attempts.