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Another No. 1 seed falls as Florida State rallies past Xavier

No. 1 Xavier lost in the NCAA tournament after Florida State had a second-half comeback.
Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The Florida State Seminoles celebrate after defeating the Xavier Musketeers in the second round of the 2018 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Only two No. 1 seeds will be playing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after Florida State knocked off Xavier 75-70 with a stunning comeback.

The upset by the ninth-seeded Seminoles comes two days after No. 16 seed Maryland-Baltimore County shocked No. 1 Virginia in the first round.

It's only the fourth time since the tournament expanded in 1984 that two No. 1 seeds failed to get out of the second round.

The Musketeers looked to be cruising with an 12-point lead midway through the second half before Florida State started slowly whittling it down. The lead was just two with five minutes left after a three-point play by Trent Forrest ended a 7-0 run for the Seminoles.

Credit: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
The Florida State Seminoles bench reacts against the Xavier Musketeers during the second half in the second round of the 2018 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Phil Savoy's three-pointer with 1:07 remaining finally put Florida State ahead. A pair of free throws by Savoy made the lead three. Xavier's last gasp ended when Kerem Kanter air-balled a three-pointer with seven seconds left.

The victory was a measure of revenge for Florida State. The Seminoles were the No. 3 seed in last year's tournament, but were blown out by the 11th-seeded Musketeers in the second round.

Florida State will face Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 of the West Region.

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