Virginia was able to narrow a 16-point second-half deficit to three in the final minute, but Florida State hung on for a 63-56 win in Tallahassee on Saturday.
A 19-4 run to end the first half gave FSU (18-7, 8-3 ACC) a 34-23 advantage at the half. The strong end was bittersweet as the ‘Noles lost leading scorer Chris Singleton to a foot injury. Singleton scored 11 quick points at the outset but left midway through the first half after a teammate landed on his ankle. Singleton left the Leon County Civic Center for X-rays and returned to the arena in the second half wearing a protective boot.
The Florida State lead was 53-37 at the 11-minute mark in the second half before Virginia (12-12, 3-7 ACC) went on an extended run that cut it to 56-53 at the 1:12 mark on a runner in the lane by Joe Harris.
Bernard James scored on a short turnaround with 37 seconds left to extend the lead back to five. A Jontel Evans turnover on the ensuing possession turned the game into a free-throw shooting contest, and FSU made 5-of-6 at the line in the final 23 seconds to seal it.
Sammy Zeglinski led UVa. with 19 points. Harris had 17, 14 in the second half.
Michael Snaer led Florida State with 16 points.
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