COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENTS : Florida State Good to the Last Bounce : Southeast: Western Kentucky’s three-pointer at buzzer barely misses in overtime, enabling Seminoles to hold on for 81-78 victory.

Western Kentucky’s remarkable run in the Southeast Regional finally ended Thursday night.

It ended as Cypheus Bunton’s last-second shot hit the rim and bounced up, hit the rim again and bounced away. It ended with senior starters Darnell Mee and Mark Bell on the bench after fouling out.

And finally, it ended as expected as quicker, stronger Florida State won in overtime, 81-78, before 22,876 at the Charlotte Coliseum.

Still, it took everything 16th-ranked Florida State had--except accurate free-throw shooting--to stop the Hilltoppers.

Despite making only 18 of 38 free throws, Florida State (25-9) had too much firepower for the Sun Belt Conference tournament champions.

Florida State Coach Pat Kennedy was not complaining about free throws, although he might mention the dismal 47.4% performance to his team during today’s practice.

“You can’t answer why,” he said. “It wasn’t one guy, it was the entire team.”

Kennedy found solace in two pivotal foul shots Charlie Ward made with 53.9 seconds to play in overtime. Ward drew a charge from Bell, who was attempting to tie the game on a drive. It was Bell’s fifth foul.

“He came down a little fast,” Ward said. “I was just lucky.”

Bell ended with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, but was left with an empty feeling.

“He could have called a block or a charge,” he said. “He called a charge. That’s the way it goes.”

Still, the outcome was in doubt as Ward stepped to the line. He had made one of four free throws before making both to give the Seminoles an 80-76 lead.

Florida State, which finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference, was still not out of danger.

Darius Hall made a layup with 34.5 seconds left for Western Kentucky, and Doug Edwards then made one of two free throws for a three-point Seminole lead.

Coach Ralph Willard tried to design a three-point play for Darrin Horn, who had 17 points. But Bunton got the ball in the corner and shot as time ran out.

Florida State had a good opportunity to win in regulation after Mee fouled out with 1:01 left. Mee’s quick moves to the basket helped him score 21 points. Without him, Western Kentucky (26-6) wasn’t as effective.

“It’s just a tough way to lose a game,” Willard said of the fouls. “Without Mee and Bell, I don’t think we could have won in a second overtime.”

Despite trailing, 30-19, with 7:20 left in the first half, Western Kentucky continued a run-and-pressure game that eventually bothered Florida State.

“They controlled a lot of the tempo against a much quicker team,” Kennedy said.

But if not for the missed free throws, Florida State would have won handily. The Seminoles’ strength is supposed to be their guards--Ward, Bob Sura and Sam Cassell. Because Western Kentucky’s guards were equally as quick, Florida State went inside.

Rodney Dobard (16 points and 13 rebounds) and Edwards (19 and nine) were too much for the smaller Hilltoppers.

Breaking the Hilltopper press with ease during the first seven minutes, Florida State built its 11-point lead.

But with Bell and Mee leading the attack, Western Kentucky went on an 11-2 run to tie the score at halftime, 40-40, and stayed close throughout the second half.

“All you can ask of a team is to play with great emotion, intensity and play together,” Willard said. “They did that tonight.”

* SOUTHEAST REGIONAL

A showdown fails to materialize as Kentucky runs roughshod over Wake Forest, 103-69. C6