Ben Hammond and the Hokies needed just a little bit more against SMU. (Jon Fleming)

The Hokies came up short in their 81-75 loss to SMU late Wednesday night in Cassell Coliseum.

“I thought our team well again tonight,” Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young said. “I told them that I’m proud of them. They’re playing really hard and they’re trying to do everything we give them to put ourselves in position to win every night. We’re doing that. We mishandled a couple of things at critical spots that we’ll look at tonight.”

The Hokies (10-13, 5-7 ACC) hung with the Mustangs (18-5, 9-3) and their high-octane offense for 40 minutes but needed a little bit more in the end. Until SMU pushed the margin to nine points with 1:23 remaining, neither side had led by more than six.

They traded the lead nine times and were tied on 12 occasions, including with 6:13 to play after Ben Hammond’s jumper pulled Tech even at 63. However, SMU was carried by the impressive duo of Chuck Harris and Matt Cross in the clutch.

Tech kept Mustangs point guard Boopie Miller in check with just 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting — half of his production came from the foul line — but the rest of the squad was efficient, led by Cross and Harris. After each posted seven points in the first half and combined to shoot 5-of-13, they were 10-of-14 in the second and finished with 41 points.

Those two answered the bell over and over. It was a 3-pointer from Harris that gave SMU the lead for good after that aforementioned Hammond bucket, and when the Hokies pulled within three at the 3:26 mark, he answered again with a three.

Then it was Cross’ turn. He nailed a trey to make it a nine-point contest with 1:23 to play, and despite Tech’s best efforts — it ripped off a 7-0 run in the next 57 seconds behind a three from Jaden Schutt and four free throws — Cross iced things at the line with five ticks left.

“He’s a good player,” Young said of Cross. “I said it repeatedly, and we have great intentions: ‘Do not let Matt Cross catch and shoot.’ He can do that very well, his numbers were good — they weren’t staggering — and we let him clip off two in the first half with our hands in our pockets. Got to do better than that.”

Chuck Harris and the Mustangs made the Hokies pay on the occasional poor defensive rotation in the second half. (Jon Fleming)

In a game where the Hokies did so many things well, their opponent was just a tad better. They shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59), made eight 3-pointers and gave the ball away just 10 times. The Mustangs made two more field goals and hit a 47.5 percent (29-of-61) clip, which included 10 threes, while having just six turnovers.

Tech even did well to limit SMU to 38 percent shooting in the first half — it was 35-all at intermission — and was plus-five on the glass (37-32), a necessity against an impressive rebounding team.

“They really offensive rebound,” Young said of the Mustangs. “… They really go at it. Proud of our team in that regard. Our Virginia Tech team has been a pretty good rebounding team throughout. That will certainly have to continue as we move along.”

Tech just needed a little bit more on both ends in the waning moments, an edge SMU had.

“Ultimately, it’s just about making plays down the stretch,” Hokies forward Mylyjael Poteat said. “I think the Miami game, UVa game, in the Cal game, we just made more plays down the stretch than we did tonight.”

The Mustangs seemingly had a response at every turn. When the Hokies strung together five quick points from Brandon Rechsteiner at the end of the first half, Cross answered with a three to tie. Ben Burnham knocked down a trey with 14:30 in the second half, but Kario Oquendo did the same.

Even when Tech made its run in the final 90 seconds, SMU held firm and relied on Miller and Cross to ice the game at the foul line.

“They’re both outstanding offensive players,” SMU coach Andy Enfield said of Cross and Harris. “They take what the defense gives. … They’re both terrific shooters and it’s hard to guard them because they can also put the ball on the floor.”

Five Mustangs scored in double figures, led by Cross’ 21 points and seven boards. Harris chipped in 20 while center Samet Yigitoglu had 12 points and seven rebounds, Oquendo added 11 points off the bench and B.J. Edwards tallied six points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Mylyjael Poteat had his first career double-double at Virginia Tech on Wednesday. (Jon Fleming)

Poteat had his first double-double at Virginia Tech with 15 points and a season-high 10 rebounds to go with his team-high five assists. He got the Hokies going early with nine and eight in the first half. For the game, he made six of his seven field goals.

“He’s playing really well,” Young said of Poteat. “He moved well tonight. He accepted the ball well. He used his size, and [Yigitoglu] is a pretty good defender. Certainly can alter some things [at 7-foot-2]. That kid moves his feet pretty well, too. Great outing from Mylyjael. Proud of him.”

Jaden Schutt and Burnham joined Poteat in double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Tobi Lawal, Hammond and Tyler Johnson all played big roles, too. Hammond dropped nine points while Lawal racked up nine points and eight boards and Johnson recorded eight and five.

Tech is back on the hardwood at Notre Dame on Saturday. The Fighting Irish dropped their last two games at Miami and Florida State.

Box Score: SMU 81, Virginia Tech 75