Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech men's basketball team fell to 18-11 (7-9) on the season Saturday night after an 89-82 loss at No. 18 North Carolina. Neoklis Avdalas led the Hokies with 19 points in the game and he was joined in double figures by Tobi Lawal (16), Ben Hammond (16) and Amani Hansberry (11).
Lawal started the game hot, making all five of his field goals in the first half, including four straight dunks. The forward also hit a triple, his fifth consecutive game knocking one down.
The Heels led by as much as eight points in the first half, but Hokie runs, cut into the deficit and Tech took a four-point lead late. At the half, the game was knotted at 44 as the Hokies dealt with foul trouble.
While Tech shot 53% in the first half and an efficient 4-8 from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes, their percentages dipped in the second frame while the Tar Heels found their rhythm. Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble paced the Heels with 26 and 20 points respectively.
North Carolina benefitted from 30 opportunities at the free throw line while the Hokies took just 11 attempts.
GAME NOTES
•The starters for Virginia Tech were Neoklis Avdalas, Ben Hammond, Jailen Bedford, Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry for the seventh straight game.
•Tech was a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line in the game, the second time this season that they took at least 10 free throws without a miss. The other game was at Clemson on February 11 (13-13).
•The last time that Virginia Tech won at the Dean Smith Center was Feb. 13, 2007, a streak of 10 straight trips to Chapel Hill without a victory.
•Amani Hansberry's 19 minutes played were a season low.
•Tech shot 50% from the field for the third straight game.
UP NEXT
The Hokies are back on Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum for the final time this season on Tuesday, March 3 for a 9 p.m. tip against Boston College. Coverage will be available on ESPNU.