Holy Cow Are You Kidding?

Click on "Kidding" for Video of Final Shot

By: Brandon Mellor, Seminoles.com Senior Writer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- For a team that has made a habit out of hitting game-winning 3-pointers, this was a new one for No. 22 Florida State.

Like the buzzer-beating wins over Duke and Virginia Tech, FSU's 63-60 victory at No. 24 Virginia Thursday ended the same way with a clutch long-range jumper. But on a night when the Seminoles (20-9, 11-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) were looking to avoid their first three-game ACC losing streak since 2008, it wasn't Michael Snaer that took the final shot and Bernard James wasn't there to set a well-timed screen or celebrate with his teammates.

Instead, Ian Miller played the role of hero this time as his 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left gave the 'Noles their fourth-consecutive 20-win season and capped off an impressive comeback after it seemed like the garnet-and-gold colored wheels had fallen off following James' ejection.

FSU's senior center was tossed from the game after he half-heartedly but intentionally kicked Virginia's Joe Harris with 4:58 remaining. James' uncharacteristic play occurred before the Cavaliers (21-8, 8-7) increased their lead to 58-47 20 seconds later.

But despite the loss of its best post player, FSU's guard-heavy lineup -- and perhaps the team's emotional response to James' impromptu absence -- erased the 11-point deficit and closed the game on a 13-2 run.

In that time span, not only did Florida State get nine points from Miller but the Seminoles also forced four Virginia turnovers.

"It was like, `It's on now,'" Snaer said. "They messed up. They shouldn't have ever threw BJ out of the game. That was the mistake they made. The fans were like, `Yes. BJ's gone. We can attack them.' No, because we just get even more mad, We just get even more fuel.

"We're a fuel team. We're an angry team and when we're angry, we can hurt you."

Miller's nine points in the final minutes were indicative of his second-half performance in Charlottesville, Va. The sophomore guard scored 15 of his team-best 18 points in the second period while shooting 5-of-8 from 3-point range all game.

And none were bigger of course than his final three as his deep triple was made despite good defense by Cavs guard Sammy Zeglinksi -- another anomaly in FSU's year of buzzer-beaters as Snaer's two game-winners were both registered when he was wide open.

"When it left my hand, I knew it was good," Miller said.

As for Snaer, he and Xavier Gibson combined for 12 points apiece and the Seminoles shot 51.1-percent from the floor. Virginia, which was 17-0 in games that it scored at least 60 points prior to Thursday night, shot 45.4 percent and was out-rebounded 25-17.

Mike Scott scored 28 points for the Cavaliers but he was held to just one shot attempt during the 'Noles' late-game run to victory.

Before the game even tipped off, FSU had already secured a No. 3 seed and first-round bye in next week's ACC Tournament in Atlanta thanks to a Miami loss the night before. The 'Noles will play a week from Friday at 9 p.m. in Phillips Arena after they conclude the regular season this Sunday at home against Clemson.

It will be Senior Day at the Donald L. Tucker Center and before tipping off at noon, the program will recognize James,Deividas Dulkys, Luke Loucks, Xavier Gibson, Jon Kreft and Jeff Peterson.