Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Opening Round: In dramatic fashion, No. 9 Florida State kept its NCAA Tournament dreams alive with a 67-66 victory against No. 8 Clemson in the opening round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. Senior Al Thornton scored the last point of his game-high 25 with 1.8 seconds remaining when he hit a free throw to break a 66-66 tie. He had missed the first attempt, setting the stage for the game-winning attempt. Sophomore K.C. Rivers fouled Thornton while he was attempting a jumper in the closing seconds. The loss may have put the nail in the coffin for Clemson, which has now lost 10 of its past 14 games after starting 17-0.
No. 12 Miami shocked No. 5 Maryland for the second time this season, beating the Terrapins 67-62. Sophomore Jack McClinton led the Hurricanes with 17 points in the upset. Like Miami’s win in College Park earlier this season, both teams struggled from the field, shooting worse than 40 percent. Maryland helped the Hurricanes’ cause by missing 11 free throws and playing with less passion when collecting rebounds. The Terrapins also uncharacteristically settled for 18 three-pointers, hitting only three of them. Miami will play No. 4 Boston College in the quarterfinals.
No. 10 North Carolina State continued the surprise party in the ACC Tournament with an 85-80 overtime win against Gerald Henderson-less No. 7 Duke. The Blue Devils played without one of their key contributing freshman after he elbowed North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough Sunday and was ejected. Duke could have used his presence by the end of overtime when David McClure and DeMarcus Nelson had fouled out. Senior Engin Atsur was phenomenal for the Wolfpack after a slow start. He scored 21 points in the second half and overtime. Freshman Brandon Costner led all scorers with 30 points in a memorable performance for a freshman in the ACC Tournament. The Wolfpack will play No. 2 Virginia in the quarterfinals.
Despite the thrillers to start the day, No. 6 Georgia Tech and No. 11 Wake Forest saved the best for last. The Demon Deacons won a 114-112 double overtime classic that ended near 1 a.m. EST. In a game that might be the best ACC opening round game ever, the two teams combined to hit 25 three-pointers, commit 58 fouls, shoot 83 free throws and place 12 players in double figures. Georgia Tech rallied in regulation and the first overtime to extend the game, then Wake Forest came from behind in the second overtime on back-to-back Harvey Hale three-pointers. No. 3 Virginia Tech awaits the Demon Deacons in the quarterfinals — in a game that will start about 20 hours after this game ended. [3/08/07]
