Primo Spears scored 11 points including two go-ahead free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining to help Florida State hang on for a 77-74 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.
The Seminoles (8-6, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) won for the fourth time in their past five games and beat the Hokies (9-5, 1-2) for the 13th time in the past 14 meetings at home.
After the Hokies erased a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 74, Spears drove from end to end and drew a foul from Hunter Cattoor to earn a trip to the free throw line.
Virginia Tech’s last chance to tie or take the lead evaporated when a full court pass sailed out of bounds turning the ball over to Florida State. Taylor Bol Bowen connected on an additional free throw after the Hokies fouled on the ensuing inbound.
The outcome was a relief for the Seminoles, who have had issues holding leads late in games. Florida State had already let two potential wins slip away, losing a game against Georgia it led by 17 with eight minutes left and a game against North Carolina where it led by 14 points.
The Seminoles used a 7-0 surge over a one-minute, 15-second span to take a 73-63 lead with 2:19 left.
The Hokies trimmed the lead with an 11-1 surge of their own led by Sean Pedulla, who hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 74-72 and followed with a pair of free throws to tie the game with 5.9 seconds remaining after Spears missed a pair of free throws at the other end.
Pedulla, who was playing in his second game since returning from a foot injury, led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting.
Hunter Cattoor went 5-for-6 from 3-point range and finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
Spears was one of four Florida State players who scored in double figures. Jaylan Gainey and Cameron Corhen each totaled 11 points while Darin Green Jr. added 10 points. Baba Miller led Florida State with 10 rebounds and five assists.
–Field Level Media