TALLAHASSEE -- Michael Snaer didn’t have a career game Saturday against 16th-ranked Virginia, but he didn’t need one to help 21st-ranked Florida State eke out a 58-55 win.

The Seminoles upset the Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon behind a stifling defense and some timely shooting from the junior guard.

“To shoot some of the shots I’ve been taking it really takes some courage and some confidence,” Snaer said. “When you’ve hit shots like that before you know you’re capable of making those types of shots and those types of plays, and I just felt comfortable.”

Entering the second half, Snaer was scoreless on just one shot, but when the Cavaliers gained the lead for the first time since the 15-minute mark in the first half, Snaer provided some offense on the ensuing possession.

After Virginia junior guard Jontel Evans made a lay-in to give the Cavaliers a 45-44 lead, Snaer connected for his first points of the game on the Seminoles’ next trip down the court. Snaer took a Luke Loucks pass and connected for three to give Florida State (16-6, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) the lead for good.

Down the stretch, Snaer continued providing timely offense for the Seminoles. Minutes later, a Joe Harris three-pointer brought the Cavs to within two points, but Snaer again answered on the next possession, connecting on a contested three-pointer to push the lead to 53-48.

Then, inside a minute and a half, Snaer again pushed the Florida State advantage to two possessions, making a layup off an in-bounds pass with just over a minute remaining.

Snaer only finished the night with eight points on three baskets, but all three of those field goals were crucial for the Seminoles as they fought off a late Cavaliers rally.

“Michael’s been playing great basketball in the clutch, I think that’s just a typical youngster growing and maturing and learning to play basketball at this level,” FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said of the former McDonalds All-American. “You work hard, you spend summers in the gym and you begin to develop a certain level of confidence, and it’s really paying off for Michael, really paying off for us.”

On the other end of the court the Seminoles were stout, forcing turnovers and keeping Virginia off balance for most of the game.

“Against Florida State there’s not a lot of easy baskets, and they were imposing their will on us [today],” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “Florida State closes on you so quick, they tip a lot of balls, you think you’re open and have space and then they’re on top of your shot.”

Just five players contributed points for the Cavaliers, lead by Harris and forward Mike Scott, who had 16 apiece. Scott exploded for 12 first-half points before Florida State clamped down on him defensively.

Sophomore forward Okaro White and senior forward Xavier Gibson spent the bulk of the second half keeping Scott in check, holding him to just four points over the last 20 minutes, including a scoreless stint over the last 5:41 of the game.

White led Florida State with 13 points and five rebounds, and Gibson added 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks to go along with a stellar defensive day.

The Seminoles have now won seven consecutive games.