/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63280582/usa_today_12389231.0.jpg)
Florida State’s win over Vermont in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was anything but a foregone conclusion at halftime. Due to amazing three-point shooting from 13-seed UVM, the 4-seed Seminoles found themselves tied 27-27 at intermission.
FSU guard Terance Mann was a rather pedestrian participant during the first half, contributing just a pair of points on 1-2 shooting. But the senior leader put the game on his shoulders after the break, leading the ’Noles to a drama-free 76-69 win over the Catamounts. Here’s how it happened— when you read through how tight the sequencing was, it really speaks to the magnitude of Mann’s performance after intermission. Let’s review:
- 16:47: Mann breaks into the assist column for the first time in the game with a pass to the top scorer, Mfiondu Kabengele, who brings Florida State to within one of UVM, at 34-33
- 15:36: Mann drops a jumper to give the Seminoles the lead, 37-36
- 12:57: A Mann dunk breaks a 40-40 tie to put FSU up 42-40
- 10:18: Trailing by a point, Mann’s offensive board and put-back gives the ’Noles a 46-45 lead, an advantage that FSU would not relinquish
- 7:58: After a quick breather, Mann snags a defensive rebound
- 7:45: Mann absorbs a foul, and drains both shots to put Florida State up 52-48
- 6:10: Mann converts a layup off a Kabengele steal: 55-48, ’Noles
- 5:17: Another defensive rebound for Mann
- 4:28: Mann makes another layup to extend the FSU margin to 59-51
- 3:35: Mann blocks a shot, grabs the rebound, and is fouled
- 3:33: Mann makes a free throw, and the Seminoles lead 62-53
- 2:12: Mann makes two more free throws to put the Seminoles up 66-58
- 1:52: Mann comes down with another UVM miss
- 1:10: Mann drains a pair from the charity stripe: FSU 71, UVM 58
Mann’s final line: 19 points (17 in the second half), with 8 rebounds.
What a half. That's timely production. That's clutch efficiency. That's senior leadership. That's Terance Mann in March.