Mann, Vassell hit huge shots, lift FSU past Hokies, into ACC semifinals
Box Score: Virginia Tech 65, Florida State 63 (OT)
College basketball's postseason is the time for big shots, and the Florida State Seminoles got two huge ones down the stretch to knock off Virginia Tech in overtime, 65-63, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.
With the win, the No. 4 seed Seminoles (26-6) will play No. 1 seed Virginia on Friday at 7 p.m. in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Cavaliers thrashed N.C. State earlier in the day.
After leading for most of the game, the Seminoles found themselves trailing by three points with just seconds remaining following a pair of late buckets by Virginia Tech center Kerry Blackshear Jr.
But FSU freshman Devin Vassell came through with the biggest shot of his young career -- a 3-pointer from the left wing -- to send the game into overtime.
Then with just 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime, FSU senior Terance Mann hit a contested, running jump shot to give the Seminoles the 65-63 victory.
Vassell came off the bench to lead FSU with 14 points, while Mann had 10 and senior forward Phil Cofer had nine.
It was FSU's second overtime victory against the Hokies (24-8) in less than two weeks; the Seminoles rallied for a 73-64 win against Virginia Tech at home on March 5.
The Hokies were playing their second game in two days Thursday after knocking off Miami one day earlier.
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