Watkins Scores Career-high 34 As Florida State Eliminates Virginia Tech From ACC Tournament

WASHINGTON: Jamir Watkins scored 12 of his career-high 34 factors within the last three minutes, Jalen Warley added 18 factors and No. 9 seed Florida State pulled away within the second half to beat No. 8 seed Virginia Tech 86-76 on Wednesday within the second spherical of the ACC Tournament.

Watkins was 9 of 15 from the sector and 14 of 17 on the free-throw line to set a program report for factors in an ACC Tournament recreation. He additionally had 11 rebounds and 4 steals. Warley made 8 of his 10 photographs as Florida State shot 54% from the sector.

Virginia Tech was 4-of-17 taking pictures within the opening 17 minutes of the second half. The Hokies additionally completed with 13 turnovers, resulting in 25 factors for the Seminoles.

Florida State (17-15) advances to play top-seeded and fourth-ranked North Carolina within the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Seminoles dropped each regular-season conferences with the Tar Heels, 78-70 on the highway and 75-68 at residence. Florida State hasn’t overwhelmed North Carolina because the 2020-21 season.

Tyler Nickel sank a protracted 3-pointer with 7:28 left to tie it at 57-all, however Virginia Tech didn’t make one other area objective till Sean Pedulla’s basket with 2:42 left to tug inside 71-62.

Florida State took benefit of back-to-back Virginia Tech turnovers with layups by Warley and Primo Spears to take a 63-58 lead with 5:01 left. Another steal beneath the basket led to Warley’s fast-break layup to make it 68-58 at 3:06.

Each workforce turned it over on an inbounds play and Watkins was fouled earlier than making two free throws at 2:49. Watkins added two extra free throws at 2:30 and had an alley-oop dunk at 2:11 for a 74-65 lead.

Spears completed with 10 factors for the Seminoles.

Pedulla scored 24 factors, Nickel added 18 and MJ Collins had 15 for Virginia Tech (18-14).

Both groups shot 55% or higher from the sector within the first half. Virginia Tech shot 64% (16 of 25), regardless of going 4 of 11 from 3-point vary, within the first half earlier than ending at 49%.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)