TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Buzzer-Beaters Doom FSU

ADVERTISEMENT

By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2008

CLEMSON, S.C. - The first time it happened, Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton just stood there for a few seconds with his hands on his hips and a look of total disbelief. The second time, he threw his hands in the air as if he had just seen a miracle.

"Those were some tough shots," FSU guard Toney Douglas said. "I call those hope-to-Jesus shots."

Clemson avoided defeat twice in Saturday's 97-85 double-overtime win against FSU thanks to a pair of buzzer-beater shots, one a 3-point bank shot by Trevor Booker at the end of regulation, the other a short offensive-rebound jumper off the backboard by James Mays at the end of the first overtime.

"They made two exceptionally tough shots that they had to make," Hamilton said. "If there was a moral victory, it would be that we played to our potential. The ACC is very unforgiving."

Trying to open ACC play with back-to-back conference wins for only the second time since joining the ACC in the 1991-92 season, the Noles (12-5, 1-1) appeared in position to do so when Douglas, returning to the site where he suffered a broken hand late last season, hit a 3-pointer to put FSU ahead 67-64 with 16.7 seconds left in regulation.

However, a long 3-pointer from second-overtime hero Terrence Oglesby bounced off the rim and was tipped out to Booker by Mays. Off-balance and rushing to get the shot off, Booker's shot banked in to wake up a packed Littlejohn Coliseum crowd that had grown frustrated watching FSU claw back from an 11-point deficit in the second half to take the lead.

In the first OT, FSU led 78-76 on Uche Echefu's 3 with 15 seconds left. But this time, Mays grabbed a miss by K.C. Rivers out of the air and quickly fired in the game-tying shot right before the red light flashed on the backboard.

"I don't even know what to say," FSU senior Jason Rich said. "I've never seen two in a row like that."

In the second overtime, Clemson (13-3, 1-1) didn't need a buzzer-beater. After an Echefu layup tied the game at 80, Rivers' 3 put the Tigers up for good with 3:51 left. In the next 1:44, Oglesby hit three 3-pointers to end FSU's bid for its first win at Clemson in seven years.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Noles didn't sound as dejected as one might expect following only their second double-overtime game against an ACC foe. The other one was a 111-108 loss to Georgia Tech on Feb. 11, 1999.

"I'm mad, because we lost," Douglas said. "But it was an exciting game. I'm proud of the team. We left it all out there."

FSU came out quickly, taking an 18-12 lead. But Clemson used a pressure defense to hold the Noles without a field goal for more than nine minutes for a 28-25 halftime lead.

INSIDE THE GAME

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Trevor Booker scored a game-high 29 points and kept the Tigers alive with his desperation 3-pointer at the end of regulation.

TURNING POINT: Terrence Oglesby's three quick 3-pointers in the second overtime clinched the victory.

KEY STAT: Clemson made 13 of 24 from 3-point range.

UP NEXT: FSU hosts Duke on Wednesday night at 7.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT