TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State's Aaron Thomas was four points shy of matching his career-high in the National Invitation Tournament opener Tuesday, but that didn't stop him from asking to sit with 1:46 remaining in a close game. The sophomore had played every minute and carried the Seminoles in the second half.

Coach Leonard Hamilton declined the request.

A short-handed Florida State squad needed every ounce of energy it could get from Thomas to advance to the second round with a 58-53 victory. The top-seeded Seminoles (20-13) will host No. 4 seed Georgetown (18-14) on Monday.