Men's Basketball Falls to Florida State 88-63

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Feb. 28, 1998

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Randell Jackson scored 17 points, one of sixFlorida State players to reach double figures, as the Seminoles defeatedVirginia 88-63 Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams.

Florida State’s only two victories in February were over Virginia (11-18,4-12).

The Cavaliers finished last in the ACC and will meet regular-season champDuke Thursday in the opening round of the conference tournament.

Florida State (17-12, 6-10) could finish as high as a tie for fifth ifClemson beats Georgia Tech and N.C. State beats Wake Forest. Both of thosegames are on Sunday.

Virginia senior point guard Curtis Staples broke the NCAA career record for3-point field goals, surpassing Keith Veney’s record of 409. He made four3-pointers Saturday, giving him 410 for his career.

Staples tied the record with 19:17 remaining in the game and broke therecord on Virginia’s next possession with 18:44 left to play.

Veney played at Lamar and then Marshall from 1993 to 1997.

Virginia’s Norman Nolan scored a game-high 24 points and pulled in 10rebounds. Staples added 16 points on 4-of-14 shooting from 3-point range.

Terrel Baker and Kerry Thompson added 13 each for the Seminoles.

Florida led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but a 3-point fieldgoal by Virginia’s Willie Dersch with 12:22 remaining cut the lead to 49-46.

But Matt Chlebek answered with a 3-pointer to begin a 17-5 run which putFlorida State in command, 66-51, with 7:03 remaining.

Florida State, which had been averaging 24.5 points and shooting 32.4percent in the first half of its last four games, held a 37-27 halftime lead onthe Cavaliers.