What a time to miss.
After making an NCAA-record 50 consecutive free throws over two games, Wake Forest missed one–with the game tied at 76-76 and 4 seconds left.
And Florida State didn’t give the third-ranked Demon Deacons another chance, winning 91-83 in overtime.
“That was a moment where I was probably a little concerned,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. “They had hit what, 50 straight free throws.”
But Taron Downey, the team’s top free-throw shooter, missed after being fouled while making a desperation three-pointer.
Wake Forest (15-2, 4-1 ACC) made 32 straight Saturday in a 95-82 win over North Carolina and its first 18 Tuesday night before Downey’s miss.
Wake Forest’s 50 straight free throws eclipsed the mark of 49 set in 1991 by Indiana State.
“They’d already set a record,” Hamilton mused. “It was time to start another one.”
Todd Galloway scored nine straight points in overtime and finished with a career-high 21 to help Florida State snap Wake Forest’s 10-game winning streak. The Demon Deacons’ only loss this season had been at Illinois.
Von Wafer scored 25 of his career-high 30 in the first half as Florida State (10-8, 2-3) twice opened 19-point leads on its way to a 46-32 lead at halftime.
“We’ve talked about him for two days,” Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser said. “He’s a time bomb.”
Wafer was 6 of 8 from three-point range and 9 of 13 overall in the first half. He was one of three Seminoles who had career highs in the game.
Galloway scored nine points in just over 2 minutes to give the Seminoles an 89-80 lead with 37 seconds left.
Al Thornton scored 20 of his 26 after halftime, including Florida State’s first four of overtime, and finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.
From Purdue to Cleveland St.
Ije Nwankwo, who started three games at Purdue as a freshman last season, has transferred to Cleveland State, Vikings coach Mike Garland said. Nwankwo will sit out the remainder of this season and the first part of next season to meet NCAA requirements. He will be eligible to play Dec. 19. A 6-foot-7-inch, 260-pound forward, Nwankwo averaged 2.5 points in 25 games last season.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Georgetown 73 at #7 Syracuse 78
Hakim Warrick had 25 pts, 11 rebs and Gerry McNamara scored 17 for Orange (18-1, 5-0 Big East). Hoyas (11-5, 3-2) forced OT on Brandon Bowman’s long jumper with :02.3 left.
#17 Miss. State 49 at #22 Alabama 98
Earnest Shelton scored career-high 34 and Tide held Bulldogs without FG for nearly 15 mins of 1st half. Tide (14-3, 3-1 SEC) allowed 3 FGs in half, took 49-18 lead over State (15-4, 3-2).
#18 Oklahoma 70 at Texas A&M 54
Drew Lavender scored season-high 23, and Oklahoma (14-2, 3-0 Big 12) snapped A&M’s 11-game home winning streak. Oklahoma closed with 13-1 run, dropping Aggies to 12-3, 1-3.
#21 Pittsburgh 61 vs. St. John’s 65
At Madison Square Garden, Daryll Hill scored 26, including 3 FTs in final 25 secs, for only pts of last 15 mins. St. John’s (7-7, 1-3 Big East) ended 3-game losing streak. Panthers 12-3, 3-2.
