TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ No. 14 Florida State sent their seniors out with a thrilling 14-point rally for a 73-64 overtime win over No. 15 Virginia Tech Tuesday night.
The win helped the Seminoles (24-6, 12-5 ACC) clinch a No. 4 seed and a coveted double-bye in the ACC tournament next week.
Mfiondu Kabengele led the Seminoles with 17 points and nine rebounds. Seniors Terance Mann and Phil Cofer came through with 14 and 11 points, respectively. M.J. Walker hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points.
Entering the matchup, the Seminoles knew to expect a short rotation from the Hokies and for them to pack the paint. Virginia Tech (22-7, 11-6) stuck to that script, forcing FSU to take contested jumpers, many coming at the end of the shot clock.
At the end of the first half, the Hokies led 33-19 while limiting FSU to 26.9 percent shooting from the field and 18.8 percent from 3-point range.
The second half saw the Seminoles rely on their defense as they have all season. FSU got four steals and drew a number of charges in the second half as they chipped away at the Va. Tech lead until Mann's 3-pointer gave the Seminoles their first lead of the game at 44-41 with just under 12 minutes to play.
There were five lead changes and three ties in the second half. After Ahmed Hill's 3 for Virginia Tech tied the game at 61, Mann had the opportunity to win it in regulation, but his 3-pointer rimmed in and out.
In overtime, the Hokies went cold and, without big man Kerry Blackshear, found it hard to compete down low. FSU hit seven of eight free throws in the extra period to seal the win.
