National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida St. 79, Charlotte 76
When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 22, 2012
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
Officials: # Sean Casady, # Tony Dawkins, # Andrew Marotta
Attendance: 7249

Florida State 79, Charlotte 76: Michael Snaer scored a career-high 30 points, including five 3-pointers, and freshman guard Aaron Thomas added 17 to help the visiting Seminoles hold off the 49ers.

Florida State had to overcome a 40-35 halftime deficit and opened the second half on the right foot with a 3-pointer from Okaro White. With the 49ers up 45-44, the Seminoles (7-4) used a 10-2 run to swing the game in their favor but Charlotte (11-2) would not fade away.

Trailing by nine with 5:32 remaining, the 49ers staged a spirited rally culminating in a 3-point play from DeMario Mayfield to draw within 73-71. The Seminoles stretched the lead with a pair of free throws from Snaer before a 3-pointer from E. Victor Nickerson made it 78-76 with 3.4 seconds to play. After Thomas hit one of two free throws on the ensuing possession, a desperation three from Ivan Benkovic wouldn't fall and the 49ers were dealt their second loss of the season.

Chris Braswell led Charlotte with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting and Mayfield pitched in 16. The 49ers outrebounded the Seminoles 30-27 but were thwarted by the hot hand of Snaer and a Seminoles offense that knocked down 9 of 19 attempts from long range.

White finished with 10 points and blocked three shots for Florida State, which has now won three straight.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida State pulled ahead in the all-time series 3-2. ... Snaer's previous career high was a 23-point outing against Clemson last season. ... The 49ers became the first Seminoles opponent in its last five games to shoot better than 40 percent from the field (46).
Top Game Performances
 
Florida St.   Charlotte
Michael Snaer 30 Scoring Chris Braswell 20
Aaron Thomas 3 Assists Pierria Henry 7
Terrance Shannon 5 Rebounds Willie Clayton 11
Michael Snaer 9 Free Throws Made Chris Braswell 3
Michael Snaer 2 Steals Pierria Henry 6
Okaro White 3 Blocks Darion Clark 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Florida St. 79 44.9 9-19 26-34 9 27 7 8 14
Charlotte 76 46.0 7-18 11-17 13 30 4 10 17