ACC Tournament live updates: Syracuse tops Florida State to finish Day 1 slate in Charlotte

The ACC Tournament has arrived in Charlotte.

Gastonia native Leonard Hamilton coached the final game of his career as Florida State dropped a 66-62 game against Syracuse.

Sir Mohammed, who helped lead Myers Park in last season’s North Carolina high school boys’ basketball playoffs, returned to his hometown and scored a couple of baskets in Notre Dame’s narrow victory.

The 6-foot-6 wing — whose father, Nazr, is the NBA champion and now general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate — has made eight starts as a true freshman for the Fighting Irish, who defeated Pitt this afternoon.

Virginia Tech, boasting several players from the Charlotte area, lost to Cal in double overtime in the second of three games at Spectrum Center.

Notre Dame 55, Pitt 54

Notre Dame will face UNC in the Tar Heels’ first ACC Tournament game Wednesday afternoon, after the Fighting Irish held off a Pitt comeback late in Tuesday’s first game.

While Notre Dame opened a double-digit lead during the first half of Tuesday’s win, Pitt battled and led during the final minutes.

Irish star Markus Burton attempted a game-winner with the game tied at 54 as the clock wound down, and a foul was called against the Panthers’ Zack Austin — a Winston-Salem native — and sent Tae Davis to the free-throw line. Davis made the first and missed the second, securing the narrow victory for Notre Dame.

Led by guard Jaland Lowe, who finished with 17 points to lead all scorers, the Panthers put up points throughout the afternoon and led for much of the second half. Pitt limited the Irish on offense and scored 12 points off Notre Dame turnovers.

Cal 82, Virginia Tech 73 (2OT)

The game was close throughout. Cal narrowly led for most of the second half, and Virginia Tech sophomore guard Brandon Rechsteiner knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer late in regulation off a strong assist from Goldsboro native Jaydon Young.

The Hokies had a chance to close the game out, but that was thwarted with a steal from Bears junior guard DeJuan “DJ” Campbell, who played two seasons at Western Carolina. Campbell made one of his two free throws to tie the game at 60 and send it to overtime.

Virginia Tech and Cal were still tied, at 67, following a first overtime period that saw both sides have a chance to win it in the final seconds. The Bears’ offense scored in bunches during the second overtime, building a multiple-possession lead and holding off the Hokies.

Andrej Stojaković dominated for Cal with a 29-point performance, while Rechsteiner finished with a team-high 17 points.

Syracuse 66, Virginia Tech 62

Syracuse led most of the game, but Florida State fought back.

A 10-0 run during the second half got the Seminoles back into it, and they rallied to a one-point deficit during the final seconds.

J.J. Starling scored 27 points to lead the Orange’s offense. Eddie Lampkin Jr. and Jyáre Davis each added 14 points of their own, and Syracuse held off the Seminoles’ comeback.

Florida State was led by Jamir Watkins, who finished with a team-high 16 points.

ACC tournament schedule

At Spectrum Center, Charlotte

Tuesday’s games

Game 1: No. 12 Notre Dame 55, No. 13 Pittsburgh 54

Game 2: No. 15 California 82, No. 10 Virginia Tech 73, 2OT

Game 3: No. 14 Syracuse 66, No. 11 Florida State 62

Wednesday’s games

Game 4: No. 8 Georgia Tech vs. No. 9 Virginia, noon (ESPN)

Game 5: No. 5 UNC vs. Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 6: No. 7 Stanford vs. Cal, 7 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2)

Game 7: No. 6 SMU vs. Syracuse, 9:30 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2)

Thursday’s games

Game 8: No. 1 Duke vs. Game 4 winner, noon (ESPN/ESPN2)

Game 9: No. 4 Wake vs. Game 5 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

Game 10: No. 2 Louisville vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

Game 11: No. 3 Clemson vs. Game 7 winner, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

Friday’s games

Semifinals: 7 pm. and 9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

Saturday’s game

Championship, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM.