Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – On an afternoon when it seemed like Virginia Tech couldn't buy a bucket, the Hokies fell to North Carolina, 65-57, inside Cassell Coliseum on Saturday.
The Hokies (16-11, 8-8) had two players score in double figures, led by Keve Aluma, who had 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Justyn Mutts tacked on 10 points and Hunter Cattoor added five points and six rebounds.
Where it all came apart for Tech was shooting from deep. Coming in as one of the nation's best 3-point shooting teams, Virginia Tech shot a season-low 19.2% (5-26) from beyond the arc.
Armando Bacot had another solid showing against Virginia Tech, hauling in 15 rebounds to go with his 12 points. Aluma held his own however, coming one rebound shy of a double-double.
Virginia Tech's defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing North Carolina to make 15 turnovers.. Those takeaways turned into 11 points on the other end of the floor. Aluma's two steals led the way individually for the Hokies.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-9, Virginia Tech went on a 5-0 run with 12:46 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Darius Maddox, to take a 14-10 lead. The Hokies then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 38-30.
North Carolina kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 49-37 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Aluma's three, to shrink the deficit to 49-44 with 8:41 to go in the contest. North Carolina responded and outscored the Hokies the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 65-57. Virginia Tech took care of business in the paint, recording 16 of its 27 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 15 turnovers, the most in a home ACC contest this season.
» Keve Aluma led the Hokies with 16 points and nine rebounds.
» Aluma now has a 14.7-point, 7.7-rebound average in three games against North Carolina while at Tech.
» Nahiem Alleyne recorded a 3-pointer for the 14th-straight game, a new personal best. Hunter Cattoor hit a shot from deep for the 11th straight game, improving his career best, as well.
» Saturday's result marked North Carolina's first win in Blacksburg since Jan. 24, 2016.
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