BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Despite a season-high 21 points from Nahiem Alleyne, Virginia Tech fell to No. 9 Memphis, 69-61, on Wednesday night in the second game of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Barclays Center.
Keve Aluma recorded his first double-double of the season for the Hokies (5-1), with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Justyn Mutts was also active on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds. As a team, Tech pulled 33 rebounds, but to the Hokies' demise, Memphis bagged 45 boards.
Mutts had four steals on the night, as Tech forced 14 turnovers from the Tigers, however the Hokies only were rewarded with three points off turnovers.
Working around Memphis' impressive size, Tech shot 7-21 from beyond the arc, a season low.
The Hokies will return to play on Friday against No. 25 Xavier in the third-place game of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
How It Happened
Virginia Tech kept it close in the first period, but entered halftime down 33-30.
Memphis kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 55-49 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Alleyne's three, to seize a 56-55 lead with 4:41 to go in the contest. Memphis re-asserted control, outscoring the Hokies 14-5 the rest of the way to hand Virginia Tech the 69-61 loss. Virginia Tech made the most of six offensive rebounds to tack on five second chance points out of 31 total in the period.
Game Notes
» Keve Aluma notched the first double-double of the season for the Hokies with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Hokies held the Tigers to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Nahiem Alleyne led the Hokies with a game-high 21 points.
» Justyn Mutts nabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Virginia Tech and Keve Aluma contributed 11.Gallery: (11-24-2021) MBB: Memphis Game