College basketball

Newly ranked 'Noles edge Hokies in double OT

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Alicia Gladden converted a three-point play with 2:18 left in the second overtime, allowing No.21 Florida State to hang on for an 81-78 victory Monday night over Virginia Tech.

The Seminoles played their first game since entering the Associated Press Top 25. It is their first ranking since they were No.25 on Feb.11, 1991. They fell out after beating Louisville 86-52 but losing to Auburn 79-64.

The Seminoles, playing their third consecutive overtime game, forced the second overtime on LaQuinta Neely's layup during the final seconds that tied it at 72.

Virginia Tech tied it at 62 with 39 seconds left in regulation on Kerri Gardin's putback, producing the ninth tie of the back-and-forth game. In all, there were 18 ties and 14 lead changes.

"We couldn't believe it when we went into the first overtime," said Seminoles coach Sue Semrau, whose team scored one point during the final 2:21 of regulation. "You joke about it. And then you go into the second overtime, so never joke about it."

After Gladden's free throw gave FSU a 79-75 lead, Dawn Chriss made a jumper with 1:58 left and Kirby Copeland a free throw with 1:07 left to pull the Hokies to within one.

But Holly Johnson sealed it for the Seminoles, who beat Maryland 95-91 on Jan.16 and North Carolina 79-73 Thursday, by making two free throws with 19 seconds left. Roneeka Hodges scored 24 for FSU, and Gladden finished with 24 points and nine rebounds.

"They were leaving me open, so I took every shot I could. And I was hitting them," Gladden said after making 9 of 16 shots. "I was just in a groove."

No.1 Blue Devils fall to Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No.12 North Carolina beat No.1 Duke 56-51, ending a 12-game losing streak in the series by limiting the Blue Devils to a season-low point total, including 13 in the first half. The Blue Devils' loss also ended the nation's longest win streak at 16.

Monique Currie, held to two points during the first half, scored 17 of her 24 during a 51/2-minute span late for Duke. Her two free throws with 1:42 left cut the Tar Heels' lead to 53-51.

After Leah Metcalf missed a 3-pointer for UNC, Alison Bales missed two free throws. Ivory Latta, the smallest player on the court at 5 feet 6, got the rebound and made two free throws to help seal it.

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 01:20:40]