CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Terance Mann hit a wild off-balance runner with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to help No. 12 Florida State beat No. 16 Virginia Tech 65-63 on Thursday in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
Mann’s shot from the right side rattled around the rim before dropping through the net to break a tie for the fourth-seeded Seminoles (26-6). The fifth-seeded Hokies (24-8) had a final chance, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker missed a long desperation 3-pointer at the horn.
Devin Vassell scored 14 points to lead the Seminoles, including a contested 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Alexander-Walker finished with 21 points for the Hokies, including a 3 that bounced up off the front rim and dropped through the net for a 63-60 lead with 1:40 left in OT.
It was the second overtime game between the teams in a week, with FSU winning both times.
BIG PICTURE
Virginia Tech: The Hokies have been grinding through games without injured point guard Justin Robinson (foot) since late January. The Hokies fought their way to win six wins in their final 10 regular-season games, then beat Miami in Wednesday’s second round to advance. They just couldn’t protect that final lead, with FSU’s Phil Cofer hitting a tying 3 then Alexander-Walker missing a contested drive with about 10 seconds left to set up Mann’s basket going the other way.
Florida State: The Seminoles arrived in Charlotte as one of the hottest teams in the country, winning 12 of 13 games to secure a double-round bye into the quarterfinals. They found a wild way to add to that streak, with Vassell, Cofer and Mann knocking down huge shots to earn the win.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech: The Hokies will wait for Selection Sunday to find out their NCAA Tournament destination.
Florida State: The Seminoles advanced to Friday’s semifinals to face second-ranked and top-seeded Virginia, which beat eighth-seeded North Carolina State earlier Thursday.
