Florida State men’s basketball lost its fifth consecutive game, this time falling to Dayton 97-69 on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
Kobe MaGee led the Seminoles in scoring with 15 points to go with four rebounds. However, MaGee, alongside Robert McCray V, Martin Somerville, Lajae Jones and Cam Miles, all fouled out of the game in the second half as foul trouble was the story of the game.
FSU finished the game with six players recording three or more fouls, and that allowed the Flyers to shoot 47 free throws, 40 of which were made. The Seminoles shot 36% from the field and 8-of-27 from three.
The Seminoles (5-6) remain winless against Power 4 competition, and similar issues with shooting inconsistencies paired with foul trouble put the team in an inescapable hole against Dayton. During its five-game losing streak, FSU has been outscored 484 to 363.
In the first half, FSU committed 14 fouls, with McCray, Somerville and AJ Swinton ending the half with three fouls each, paired with two fouls apiece by Cam Miles and Lajae Jones. On top of early foul trouble, the Seminoles shot 33% from the field in the opening period, and 31% from three.
Dayton took advantage of FSU’s lack of size inside, scoring 14 points in the paint in the first half, and 34 total, to help the Flyers to a 42-31 lead at halftime. De’Shayne Montgomery scored a game-high 16 points in the first half for Dayton, and he finished the game with 20 points.
The second half presented similar issues, with FSU struggling from deep and committing double-digit fouls. Dayton took advantage of lackluster offensive possessions from the Seminoles at times, forcing 10 second-half turnovers and 20 overall, which led to 22 points.
Flyers’ guard Javon Bennett scored a game-high 25 points, with 23 points in the second half.
What’s next for FSU basketball? A return home to face Mississippi Valley State
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Five FSU basketball players foul out in blowout loss to Dayton
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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