Florida State hangs on, defeats Clemson in ACC first round

  • By AARON BEARD

    AP Basketball Writer

  • Posted: Friday, March 15, 2013 12:17 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 15, 2013 8:10 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A
Florida State's Terrance Shannon (2) and Clemson's K.J. McDaniels (32) chase a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, March 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Michael Snaer hit four free throws in the final 22.4 seconds to help reigning champion Florida State hold off Clemson 73-69 on Thursday night in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

Snaer finished with 10 points for the sixth-seeded Seminoles (18-14), who let a 14-point lead with 3 minutes left slip to a single bucket late. But his last two free throws with 6.9 seconds showing made it a two-possession game and helped FSU hang on.

Okaro White scored a career-high 24 points for FSU, while Terrance Shannon added 12 — including six straight to spark a 14-3 second-half run that helped the Seminoles take control after trailing by 10 in the first half.

Florida State advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals to face third-seeded North Carolina.

Jordan Roper scored 18 to lead the 11th-seeded Tigers (13-18), who lost their seventh straight to close their worst season in nine years.

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