FSU Basketball wins OT thriller over Virginia Tech in ACC quarterfinals
By Jason Parker
It was deja vu all over again for FSU basketball as the Seminoles needed extra time to advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
If you hadn’t watched the opener for FSU basketball in the ACC tournament against Virginia Tech and just read the box score, you would think that it was a misprint and just a copy of the regular season showdown between the teams just under a week and a half ago in Tallahassee.
In reality, it was a much different story when the teams met in Charlotte on Thursday afternoon – as the Seminoles blew a double digit first half lead and needed a miracle shot in both the second half and in overtime to escape with a 65-63 victory to advance to Friday’s semifinals against Virginia.
For FSU basketball, the first half was one that they want to bottle up and keep the rest of the tournament and through March Madness as they had a 13 point lead early on and looked like they were going to roll over a team they beat in overtime on March 5th to clinch the double bye this week.
But, the Hokies took a page from what took place in Tallahassee and cut the lead down to two points at the half – and while the Seminoles would lead almost all of the second half, Virginia Tech’s Kerry Blackshear hit two straight baskets to give the Hokies a three point lead.
With just seconds left in regulation, Devin Vassell hit three of his team high 14 points and sent the game to overtime.
Super competitive game here in Charlotte between Florida State and VA Tech. 6-5 Noles freshman Devin Vassell sends it to OT with the on-the-hop corner 3. pic.twitter.com/fqt6ZpDKbc
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 14, 2019
In overtime, Virginia Tech would take a three point lead with over a minute and a half left before FSU basketball got a three pointer from Phil Cofer and – after a Hokies miss – a shot from Terance Mann that hit all parts of the rim and backboard to go in for two of his 10 points and give the Noles a two point victory.
MANN ON FIRE 🔥@FSUHoops' Terance Mann hits the game winner in OT to send the Seminoles to the ACC Tournament semifinals. pic.twitter.com/zz26kACKFh
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 14, 2019
FSU basketball will now turn their attention to another team from the commonwealth – as they face the top seeded Virginia Cavaliers on Friday at 7 p.m. The Seminoles opened AC regular season play against the Wahoos and lost by 13 points in a game that was closer than the final score indicated.