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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