Boston College tried to give the game to Virginia Tech, but the Hokies didn’t take it. The Eagles knocked off Tech 61-56 in the Conte Forum on Saturday afternoon to move to 10-10 overall and 4-5 in the ACC. Meanwhile, the Hokies dropped to 14-6 overall and 5-4 in the ACC after suffering their first bad loss of the season.
BC shot 11-of-27 (40.7%) from the free throw line, which is one of the worst marks you’ll ever see in a college basketball game. Nevertheless, they pushed out their defense to the three-point line and made the Hokies’ ball handlers uncomfortable and the result was that Tech was never able to get going offensively.
The Hokies were 6-of-12 from three-point range in the first half and led 31-26 at halftime, but those clean looks were limited in the second half. Tech was just 1-of-9 from the outside in the final 20 minutes, with the one make coming by Jalen Cone with under a minute to play.
Boston College came into Saturday’s game good in one aspect of the game. The Eagles rank No. 29 nationally in opponents’ turnover percentage, and we noted in Friday’s preview that turnovers were something to keep an eye on, as the Hokies entered the game ranked No. 2 in the country in turnover percentage. It was a battle BC won by forcing 14 Virginia Tech turnovers.
Landers Nolley, along with Tyrece Radford, did not start because they were late to the team bus on Saturday morning. Still, Tech led 14-10 before those two players entered the game, and led by as many 10 points before the wheels fell off. Nolley led the team with 15 points, but he was 0-of-3 from the outside and had four turnovers. Nahiem Alleyne added 10 points for Tech, while Radford had seven points and nine rebounds. Wabissa Bede had nine points, five rebounds and five assists.
Virginia Tech returns to action on Tuesday night when they face Miami on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 8pm, and the game will be televised by The ACC Network.