NASHVILLE, TN — St. Bonaventure, the 14 seed in the East Region, had a shot at the end of the game versus 3 seed Florida State.

The Bonnies, who led 34-28 at halftime in Nashville, went cold for a stretch in the second half, and fell behind the Seminoles.

Still, thanks to several late threes, the Bonnies cut the lead down to three with a final possession. Needing a three, St. Bona did not get one off.

The Bonnies, who were in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000, never trailed in the first half.

Andrew Nicholson paced the Bonnies with 20 points, but had a rough second half after going a perfect 5-5 from the floor in the first half. The game was Nicholson's final outing in brown and white after a celebrated career.

Demitrius Conger had 14 for the Bonnies, who got into the field of 68 by winning the A-10 tournament.

Bernard James led the Seminoles with 19, while Michael Snaer, the MVP of the ACC tournament, did not score.

Florida State advances to play Cincinnati on Sunday.

Friday is here and the St. Bonaventure men's basketball team and the Bonnie faithful are ready for their first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years.

The number 12 has become significant for many Bonnie fans, as that is how long their drive was from Western New York to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The half day trek was well worth it.

"It is crazy, everybody is going crazy. This is something that is history it is insane it is so much fun," said Jules Sheridan, freshman at St. Bonaventure.

"We are living on the dream and hoping for the upset as the the 14 seed, we are hoping for big things," said Brad Beaumont, sophomore.

The 14 seed Bonnies are scheduled to tip off against Florida State at 2:45 p.m. Friday.