Hokie ClubCORAL GABLES - Despite an efficient 50% shooting from the field and unselfish play to the tune of 20 assists on 28 made field goals, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team fell at Miami 67-66 Tuesday night. The loss, Tech's second in a row drops the club to 17-10 (6-8) as they head into the final four regular season games of the season.
Miami came out of the gates and grabbed a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes, thanks in part to three Hokie turnovers in the first eight possessions. But the Hokies would steady themselves with an 18-9 run to lead at under-12 media break. At the time, Tech had six field goals, scored buy six different players and then Jaden Schutt hit two 3's on consecutive possessions.
After some back-and-forth play, the Hokies led 34-31 at the half, shooting 50%, with 12 assists on 14 field goals. Sixteen of the points came from the bench as Schutt (6), Antonio Dorn (6) and Christian Gurdak (4) found ways to contribute.
In the second 20 minutes, neither team could pull away as the Hokies' largest lead was five at the eight-minute mark. Miami was bolstered by guard Tre Donaldson who scored a game-high 32 points, and in the final minute and change tied the game with a 3-pointer and with 12 seconds to play sunk what would be the game-winning free throw.
The Hokies had a chance to grab the victory but Ben Hammond's attempt at the buzzer rattled off the backboard and would not fall. He was one of three Hokies to record double figures with 10, while Jailen Bedford scored 12 and Amani Hansberry had 16 points.
GAME NOTES
• The starters for Virginia Tech were Neoklis Avdalas, Ben Hammond, Jailen Bedford, Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry for the sixth straight game.
UP NEXT
Tech returns home to Cassell Coliseum on Saturday, February 21 for an noon tip against Wake Forest which will be Senior Day for forward Tobi Lawal. Coverage will be available on ACCN.