Florida State delivered an extraordinary performance in the second half, securing a decisive 92-69 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Seminoles' triumph was largely orchestrated by reserve player Martin Somerville, whose impressive 18 points after the intermission ignited his team's offensive explosion. He concluded the game with a season-best 23 points, perfectly executing all seven of his field goal attempts in the second half. Additional significant contributions came from Chauncey Wiggins, who scored 19 points, Lajae Jones, who recorded 17 points and led the team with seven rebounds, and Robert McCray V, also adding 17 points. This victory marks Florida State's second consecutive road win and their fourth win in their last five games overall, boosting their season record to 12-13 (5-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference).
Virginia Tech initially held a narrow 42-39 lead at halftime, following a fiercely contested first half where both teams achieved an exact 50% shooting efficiency from the field. However, Florida State dramatically shifted the game's momentum by outscoring the Hokies 53-27 in the second half. The Seminoles' shooting accuracy was phenomenal, hitting 78.3% from the field in the second half and achieving a season-high 52.2% from beyond the arc. Despite strong performances from Virginia Tech's Ben Hammond and Tobi Lawal, who each scored 16 points, along with Jailen Bedford (13), Amani Hansberry (10), and Neoklis Avdalas (10) also reaching double figures, the Hokies (17-9, 6-7) could not maintain their advantage. This loss prevented them from building on their recent upset victory against No. 20 Clemson.
The Seminoles' dominance became evident early in the second half. After trailing for most of the first half, Florida State launched a commanding 19-4 run, transforming a five-point deficit into a 63-53 lead with just over eleven minutes remaining. Martin Somerville played a crucial role during this period, scoring the final four points of a 13-0 run that put Florida State in front. He continued his scoring spree, adding seven more consecutive points that pushed the Seminoles to a 70-57 lead with under eight minutes left. From that point, Virginia Tech was unable to close the gap, as Florida State sealed their victory with a final 11-0 run, extending their lead to 84-60 with four minutes remaining, demonstrating a powerful display of offensive and defensive synergy.
This game serves as a testament to the power of resilience and collective effort in sports. Florida State's ability to regroup and execute with such precision in the second half highlights the importance of perseverance and tactical adjustments. It reminds us that setbacks are merely setups for greater comebacks, and true victory lies not just in winning, but in the spirit and determination shown when facing adversity. Such performances inspire us to strive for excellence and believe in the potential for turnarounds in all aspects of life.