Boston College coach Steve Donahue knew plenty about Florida State's Michael Snaer. But where did this Devon Bookert guy come from?
While Snaer was putting up highest scoring total in Atlantic Coast Conference play this year with 21 points, freshman Bookert handed out eight assists without a turnover in just his second start of the year. Six assists came in the second half, including three during a span of just over two minutes that ignited a 12-2 Seminole run that wiped out BC's brief 45-42 lead.
"That's a tough pill to swallow when you allow a guy to get eight assists and no turnovers and then find those guys wide open as well," Steve Donahue said after his team dropped a 69-66 game to the Seminoles. It was the Eagles' sixth ACC loss by five points or less this season, the last two of those by three points or less.
The Eagles had a chance to tie at the buzzer, but Ryan Anderson's 3-point try bounced off the front rim and the Seminoles ran off their home court with yet another close win. BC has cut the lead to 68-66 on Lonnie Jackson's layup with six seconds remaining, but Florida State's Terry Whisnant hit the second of two free throws a second later to force the Eagles into a desperation 3 in hopes of forcing overtime.
"We had a shot," Donahue said. "I'm pleased with how hard we played and hung around."
While BC has come out on the short end of so many losses, Florida State has maintained its winning record by winning the close games.
The defending ACC champs (14-11, 6-6 ACC) have won all of their league games by five points or less, including five wins by three points or less - and three coming on final second shots by Snaer. The Seminoles also evened their home record at 7-7 with just their fourth win in the last 10 games.
It was the first ACC game this year in which Snaer has scored 20 or more points. He made 8 of 10 shots and was perfect on four free throws. Snaer's two free throws with 2:05 left gave Florida State a 66-60 lead.
Florida State led by as many as 12 points in the opening half on its way to a 31-26 lead at the break. BC rallied to take its 45-42 lead on Patrick Heckmann's 3 before Bookert keyed a 12-2 run that propelled the Seminoles into a 54-47 lead with 8:06 left.
"The assists he had today were more out of instincts," Hamilton said in praise of Bookert. "Starting has been good for him."
Okaro White chipped in with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds while Bookert, who scored 12 points in Wednesday's 74-68 loss to third-ranked Miami in his first collegiate start, was turnover-free in 31 minutes on the court.
Boston College (11-14, 3-9) was led by freshman Olivier Hanlan's 19 points. Heckmann and Anderson, who had a game-high 11 rebounds, each added 10 points for the Eagles.
Both clubs shot well in close and from long distance. Florida State hit 51 percent overall (25 of 49) and made 7 of 13 from 3-point range, while Boston College finished at 44.4 percent (24 of 54) and was 9 of 16 from beyond the arc.
Whisnant's 3 with 6:11 left in the opening half gave Florida State a 24-12 lead, but Joe Rahon hit a 3 and followed with a jumper to cap a 9-0 BC run that pulled the Eagles to within 24-21.
Boston College returns home to host Maryland on Tuesday while the Seminoles visit North Carolina State the same night.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:04:00 GMT
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Monday, May 20 2013 4:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:22:51 GMT
A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:05 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:05:01 GMT
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.