The Seminoles can't upset another ranked team as No. 19 Georgia Tech wins 63-60.
By Associated Press
Published March 7, 2004
ATLANTA - Marvin Lewis almost always took a back seat to a teammate this season, with leading scorer B.J. Elder or high-flying Isma'il Muhammad getting most of the attention.
In the final home game of his college career, Lewis finally stood out.
He scored 16 of his 21 in the second half and tied a season high with five 3-pointers, helping No. 19 Georgia Tech hold off Florida State 63-60 Saturday.
Jarrett Jack added 18 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and six assists for the Yellow Jackets (22-8, 9-7 ACC), including two free throws with 33.5 seconds left.
But the effort from Lewis in the second half helped them rally for their third straight victory.
"Jack was a big factor, but the guy that gave us some breathing room was Marvin Lewis," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "He really hit some big shots. I'm thrilled for him to go out on Senior Day the way he did."
Lewis, three points short of his season best, played for the first time in front of his grandmother, 85-year-old Mary Lewis. She joined his parents and younger sister in the crowd, and he gave them plenty to watch.
Adam Waleskowski and Anthony Richardson each had 12 points for the Seminoles (18-12, 6-10), who lost their fourth straight and finished 0-8 on the road in the ACC. Despite five victories over Top 25 teams, they likely need a run in the conference tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.
"I knew going into the game that as a team we were entering uncharted waters with the importance of this game," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. "There's a certain mind-set that you have to get into to win on the road. I was hoping, with our backs against the wall, we'd be able to find it."
Tim Pickett, the fifth-leading scorer in the conference at 16.5 points a game, finished with 10, his worst total in four games. He fouled out with 6:43 left and played with an injury to his right ankle.
"We have to keep our heads up," Pickett said. "You get tired of these close losses. As hard as we play, we shouldn't be losing close games like this."
Florida State took its final lead on a 3 by Nate Johnson with 9:26 left, and he made a layup about six minutes later to tie it for the final time at 56.
But Anthony McHenry, an offensively challenged player known mostly for his defense, gave the Yellow Jackets the lead for good on a powerful dunk after a nifty feed by Jack, and the Seminoles missed their final five shots. FSU has lost six of its past eight.
