The Daily Nole

15-Year Nole Anniversary: Career-Nights for Wafer, Galloway Propel FSU Past No. 3 Wake in OT

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During Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton’s illustrious tenure, there have been highs and lows. The biggest low was FSU’s 2004-05 campaign.

That season, the Seminoles finished just 12-19 overall and 4-12 in ACC play. For as disappointing as the season was however, it did have its moments of promise. Perhaps the biggest came on this day 15 years ago.

The Seminoles were just 9-8 when they arrived at the Donald L. Tucker Center to take on No. 3 Wake Forest on Jan. 18, 2005. The Demon Deacons were led by star guards Chris Paul and Taron Downey and big man Eric Williams.

To that point, FSU was 1-3 in ACC play with the three losses by a combined five points. That night, FSU squandered a big lead but circled the wagons to win in overtime, 91-83.

FSU led by as many as 19 in the first half and raced to a 46-30 halftime lead, thanks to 25 first-half points from sophomore guard Von Wafer. Wafer would score a career-high 30 points on the evening and shoot 7-for-12 from beyond the 3-point line.

In the second half, the Demon Deacons were able to chip away at the big FSU lead and with just seconds to play in regulation, nearly stunned the Seminoles. Down 76-73 with time ticking away, Downey was able to knock down a desperation 3-point attempt while drawing a foul.

To that point, Wake Forest had made an NCAA-record 50 straight free throws, but with a chance to give his team the lead, Downey was unable to capitalize at the foul line. Still, as the contest headed to overtime, Wake had all the momentum.

The Seminoles had never trailed in the contest and that did not change in overtime. In fact, the extra period began in largely the same way as the game did.

At one point in overtime, junior guard Todd Galloway scored nine straight points for FSU. Galloway finished the night with a career-high 21 points, including a clutch fade-away in overtime to help put the contest away. The Seminoles outscored Wake Forest 15-7 in the extra period.

In addition to career-nights from Wafer and Galloway, Al Thornton also scored a then career-high 26 points for FSU in the win. Thornton scored 20 of his points after halftime and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. As team, FSU shot 50 percent from the field and 12-for-24 from deep.

For Wake Forest, Paul was one point shy of tying a career-high, leading the Demon Deacons with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Downey and Williams added 21 and 18 points, respectively, in the loss.

The win provided a glimmer of hope for Florida State, but the Seminoles would win just twice more that season. Wake Forest blasted FSU 87-48 when the teams met in Winston-Salem later in the year. At one point down the stretch, FSU lost nine straight games.

The victory however, served as the fifth win over a top-10 season in four seasons for FSU and the second straight at home over the Demon Deacons. It happened on this day 15 years ago.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.

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