Facing a critical game against Boston College, Virginia Tech was blown out at home 76-61 on Tuesday night. The Hokies dropped to 19-9 overall and 9-6 in the ACC, and took a serious hit to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Boston College improved to 18-11 and 8-7 in the ACC, and improved their NCAA Tournament resume.
Erick Green scored 21 points, Malcolm Delaney added 17 and Jeff Allen chipped in with 14, but it didn’t matter. Boston College got hot early from the outside and never let their foot off the pedal, controlling the game from start to finish.
The Hokies shot just 42.9% from the field and 17.6% from three-point range, while BC was 45.1% overall and 45.5% from the outside. The Eagles made 10 three-pointers and outrebounded Virginia Tech 38-24. Jeff Allen had just three rebounds, and Tech lost at home for the first time since December 5.
Virginia Tech had just six turnovers, but it didn’t matter, as they struggled to get good shots and Boston College imposed their will offensively. Seth Greenberg said the Hokies lacked energy.
“I’m embarrassed,” Greenberg said. “That’s the only way I can describe that. Yesterday, we had an absolutely phenomenal practice. Today, I looked in their eyes at shoot-around and we got what I saw. I challenged them at the end of shoot-around. I challenged them before the game. I don’t know if it’s their emotional tank is on empty, but that’s a sorry excuse. That’s a sorry, sorry, sorry excuse.”
Tech was beaten to the punch on both ends of the court, and only led once, 4-2, following a Terrell Bell jumper very early in the game. By the 13:40 mark of the first half the Eagles had taken an 11-point lead.
Boston College led by as many as 18 points in the first half. The Hokies were able to go on a run towards the end of the half and cut the lead to 35-27 heading into the intermission following a Malcolm Delaney jumper.
However, that was as close as they got. The Hokies hung in there in the opening minutes of the second half, but they were unable to stop the ball, and they eventually started missing shots, which allowed Boston College to extend their lead. BC led by as many as 20 points in the second half before coasting to the easy win on the Senior Night of Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen and Terrell Bell.
The home loss is a big blow to Tech’s RPI, and it seriously damages their NCAA Tournament hopes.
The Hokies will try to make up for it on Saturday, as they take to the road to play the Clemson Tigers at noon on Saturday. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
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