BLACKSBURG – Tyrece Radford scored 18 points, but Virginia Tech couldn't overcome Devin Vassell and Florida State, falling 74-63 to the No. 5 Seminoles in an ACC game played Saturday at Carilion Clinic Court.
The loss marked the third straight for the Hokies, who fell to 14-8 overall, 5-6 in ACC play. Florida State, winners of 11 of 12, moved to 18-3 overall, 8-2 in the ACC and is one game out of first place in the ACC standings.
Vassell scored a game-high 27 points and tied an ACC record by making all seven of his 3-point attempts. He connected on his first six shots from the floor -- five 3-pointers -- and made 8 of 10 from the floor for the game. He was the lone Seminole player in double figures, but 10 different Seminoles scored and seven scored at least seven points.
The Seminoles led for much of the first half, were ahead 34-29 at the break and held the lead the rest of the way. Florida State grabbed a 60-44 advantage on a free throw by Trent Forrest with 9:25 remaining before the Hokies scored the next nine points. They cut the lead to 60-53 on a dunk by Nahiem Alleyne with 6:23 left, but got no closer.
Radford hit 8 of 10 from the floor for the Hokies, who shot 43.1%, but made just 7 of 30 from beyond the 3-point arc. Landers Nolley II added 14 points, while Hunter Cattoor finished with 10.
QUOTES TO NOTE
Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young
(On his team being young and hitting a lull)
"I'm not going to make excuses. You've got to find ways to win. We are in a bit of a hole here, but as I told them after the game, we control everything … Play better basketball. Find ways to win. Come back over tomorrow and fight again. Get to Georgia Tech and play a little bit better."
(On getting things turned around with four games upcoming against teams behind the Hokies in the ACC standings)
"We had two of them last week (BC and Miami), and it didn't work out so well. We better get our a-- in gear. I've got a darn good basketball team, and I've got to do a better job with them and continue to get better. We are getting better here. We just didn't make enough plays to get out of here today with a win … Where we are and where everybody else is in this league, I thought Miami was pretty good on Tuesday. I haven't seen a lot of Georgia Tech. I'm sure I'm going to watch them tonight, and I'm going to say the same thing. We better play good basketball, or we're going to get our ears pinned back and against whoever is in there next Saturday. I take no comfort in that. You've got to make hay no matter who is front of you. You've got to play better."
GAME NOTES
• Radford scored in double figures for the eighth time this season and is averaging 22 points per game over the past two games.
• Radford finished with six rebounds and has grabbed at least six rebounds in 14 games this season.
• Wabissa Bede handed out six assists – the 19th time this season in which he has handed out at least five assists in a game.
• Cattoor reached double figures in scoring for the first time in an ACC game.
• Nolley has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games and in 20 of 22 games this season.
• In their three losses, the Hokies are shooting just 30% from beyond the 3-point arc (22 of 73).
• Tech has been out-rebounded in nine consecutive games.
UP NEXT
The Hokies return to the court Tuesday when they take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.Gallery: (2/1/2020) 2020 MEN'S BASKETBALL vs. FLORIDA STATE