BC’s Lonnie Jackson and Okaro White of Florida State battled for a rebound. BC finished with 27 rebounds, FSU 26. (Mike Ewen/Tallahassee Democrat)

By Julian Benbow Globe Staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — While Terry Whisnant was at the free throw line for two shots, with the chance to put Florida State up by 4 over Boston College with six seconds left on Saturday and calm the nerves on the Seminoles’ bench, BC’s best 3-point shooter, Lonnie Jackson, was sneaking to the other side of the floor, setting himself up for a 3-pointer just in case Whisnant couldn’t slam the door.

It just so happened Florida State forward Okaro White noticed.

He pointed back and yelled, “Watch the corner!”

The odds were slim for BC, but the chance was there. Florida State had won three games this season on buzzer-beaters.

Whisnant missed his first foul shot, made the second, and the Eagles came down the court with the game in their hands.

Up by 3, calling for a foul crossed the mind of Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton’s. That would put the Eagles on the free throw line, and even if they hit both shots they’d still trail by 1.

Then, Hamilton reconsidered. “I’ve seen some horror shows,” he said.

So he let it play out.

The ball never got to Jackson. Instead, BC guard Olivier Hanlan found Ryan Anderson by himself on the wing.

Anderson had made only three 3-pointers all season. But all Hamilton could think of was the one Anderson hit last season when the Eagles stunned a Seminoles team that was ranked 15th.

When he saw Anderson release the tying 3-point attempt, Leonard said, “I didn’t feel real comfortable. There’s no doubt about that. I don’t know how we left a guy that wide open.