TALLAHASSEE -- For the fourth time in 374 days, the Florida State Seminoles walked off the court Wednesday with a win that was decided on a Michael Snaer shot that came inside the final two seconds.
At the end of three of those game-winning shots, the ball fell through the hoop as the buzzer sounded. Time had completely ticked off the game clock.
That wasn't quite the case Wednesday when, with 1.1 seconds remaining, Snaer delivered a 3-point dagger that put the Seminoles ahead of visiting Maryland by two with time for one last Terrapins heave.
Maryland's subsequent 29-foot 3-point try would up short.
FSU held on to win, 73-71. It was a victory that for much of the night appeared would elude the Seminoles' (12-8, 4-3 ACC) grasp. It was a game they needed, but one many didn't believe would go their way long before the opening tip.
(Read the Orlando Sentinel's game story from the last-second win here)
Now four times in barely a year, the Seminoles have emerged on the right side of a sequence of close, tight finishes, thanks to a Snaer game-winner. Their home Donald L. Tucker Center has seen three such results.
As one fan shouted toward the senior guard as he jogged off the court following a post-game interview Wednesday: "These guys are going to give me a heart attack."
Forget the Highlight Factory, the Tucker Center is the Heart Attack Factory.
Just remember, FSU fans, you can send any heart-related medical bills to the university, care of Snaer. His late-game heroics certainly had many of you huffing and puffing in utter relief after such an emotionally taxing game. Following his buzzer-beater to slide past Clemson last week, Snaer has now had two special late-game moments in back-to-back home contests.
Last season, he had two more game-winners. One came at the buzzer at Duke (which visits FSU on Saturday ... the game is already sold out). The other was at home against Virginia Tech. The Seminoles made another shot at the buzzer when Ian Miller delivered a game-winning 3 on the road at Virginia.
A hat-tip to Seminoles.com for this idea, but here is a video collection of Snaer game-winners from over the years. Enjoy:
Email me at coharvey@orlandosentinel.com, and follow on Twitter at @os_coleyharvey.
