Unconquered

Box score below.

What changed? Where did that dominance in the post come from? Is Maryland severely undersized?

White had a great game, no question. But without that interior defense, his points wouldn't have mattered. Whatever they changed in the interior, it worked. They were also getting the ball out and running on defensive rebounds and blocks more than I remember.

With the Maryland men’s basketball team trailing Florida State by just two points, Seth Allen streaked down the court with precious seconds ticking off the clock.

Allen finished with 13 points and five turnovers against Florida State. (Photo by Bill Bride)

8 … 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2.

Allen ran off a screen set by Alex Len at the top of the key but found himself trapped by defenders. With not much time to make a decision, Allen chucked up a desperation 3-point attempt that was swatted away by Florida State’s Michael Snaer.

The block effectively ended any chance Maryland had at beating the Seminoles, who handed the Terps their first loss in 62 days.

So what exactly happened on the game’s final play?

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton

Opening Statement:
"The respect that we have for Maryland's program brought the best out of our kids in the first half. They kind of had their way with us in the beginning of the game. I thought they were more aggressive. We had good looks in the first half, but I thought we missed a lot of open looks. You've got to give them credit, they took our inside game away with their ability to push us off the block, and we challenged our kids at halftime to find a way to get on the boards. They've got a great combination of guys who can shoot threes, and guys who can take you off the dribble. It was very challenging mindset that our kids had to get into to be successful. I thought that in the second half we rose to the occasion; I thought we kept fighting. We had a lot of guys that came off the bench and gave us tremendous effort. When the game was on the line, we had some clutch plays. That gave us the opportunity to win a basketball game against a very good team that's playing very well.

On Okaro White's second half:
"In the heat of the battle, I didn't know he had 15 straight [points], but I knew he was playing his butt off. I guess that is to be commended."

On the ACC start:
"I didn't know until yesterday that this is the first time in the history of the program that we started 2-0. That's an accomplishment in itself that we didn't realize we were close to accomplishing. This early in the season, it's not about those. We are so young and so inexperienced; I think the story of the game is that our youngsters are learning a little more about the focus you've got to play with at this level. I looked up at times and we had three freshmen on the floor. We're a team that's growing and we're not close to reaching our potential, but I think that we learned a little bit more about how to utilize the defensive principles we've been learning all year. That's been an elusive mindset that we've not been able to get. I thought tonight our rotations were better in the second half... That shows that are learning more how to play in the ACC."

Florida State junior forward Okaro White

On tonight's game:
"We've been preaching to our young guys on how hard ACC play is, and how much intensity you have to play with. We sat down with all the juniors and seniors and told the young guys, we have to stop talking, and we have to show them how hard you have to play. In the second half we were down in the hole, and I tried to get us out."

On how frustrating it was when the team couldn't get the lead:
"It was very frustrating. We were fighting so hard the whole game, and we kept going back and forth. I think I was on the bench at that point, but it was very frustrating. I just continue to believe if you play hard things will work out in the end."

On not taking advantage of Maryland turnovers:
"You just have to stick to the game plan and stick with what you normally do; you just bring intensity. I can't express the fact of how important intensity is."

Florida State senior guard Michael Snaer

On the team's comeback in the second half:
"It was big for us. We had a lot of guys step up--Ian [Miller] stepped up big and played tonight. [Kiel] Turpin really stepped up in the second half. In the first half we had to make an adjustment. We were looking for that throwback too early, and [Maryland] kept holding the ball and our offense was really stagnant. When we really got into moving the ball and buying into that, our offense spread out and guys were knocking down shots. They got really tired at the end, you could tell it showed, and we were able to capitalize."

On seeing Okaro White step up:
"That's big time because you can tell he's grown as a player. He didn't have a great first half, and wasn't really looking to score. When he started playing off other people and moving the ball, we were able to get open shots and opportunities."

On playing with four fouls early in the second half:
"Well I have five in me, so if I have to give my team all five or four that's just what I have to do. I have to make plays for this team--whether that's offensively or defensively. We're a team that has guys who may go for 20 or 30, but we're not going to win that way every night. Tonight was just a collective, unselfish spirit, and I'm really trying to bring that over to my teammates."