A Hard-Fought Loss for the Hokies

After a thrilling triple-overtime victory over No. 21 Virginia just three days earlier, the Virginia Tech Hokies found themselves back on the court, facing off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem. The game ended in heartbreak as a last-second 3-pointer by Wake Forest sealed an 81-78 loss for the Hokies.

This defeat marked the end of a six-game winning streak for Virginia Tech and dropped their overall record to 12-3 and 1-1 in ACC play. The loss was particularly tough given the circumstances, as the Hokies were playing with a shorthanded roster.

Dominance in the First Half

Wake Forest took control early in the first half, capitalizing on Virginia Tech’s uncharacteristic turnovers. The Hokies committed 14 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, which proved to be a significant hurdle. Additionally, junior forward Amani Hansberry and freshman center Christian Gurdak each picked up three fouls in the first half, limiting their impact on the game.

Despite these challenges, guard Jailen Bedford emerged as a key player for the Hokies. He scored 11 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers, and finished the game with a game-high 25 points. His efforts helped keep the Hokies within striking distance, as they entered halftime trailing 36-32.

Second Half Comeback

The second half saw the Hokies make a strong push, but every time they gained a lead, Wake Forest responded with clutch shots. Nate Calmese was instrumental in this regard, hitting several big shots throughout the game. He tied Bedford with 25 points, leading all scorers.

With around 10 minutes remaining, Sebastian Akins scored a jumper to give Wake Forest a 58-50 lead. However, the Hokies launched a remarkable 12-point run to take a four-point lead with 7:21 left on the clock. This was the first time the Hokies led in the game.

Back-and-Forth Battle

As the game progressed, both teams traded leads, with neither able to gain a consistent advantage. When the Hokies needed a basket, it was always Bedford who delivered. With 1:24 remaining, Hansberry hit a 3-pointer to put Virginia Tech ahead 74-73.

Wake Forest responded with a 3-point play, and Gurdak made a free throw to extend the lead to 76-74. The Hokies missed their next shot, but Wake Forest secured two offensive rebounds before Calmese sank a 3-pointer with just six seconds left to put them ahead by three points.

Neoklis Avdalas hit two free throws for the Hokies, and Calmese added two more for the Demon Deacons, sealing the win.

Key Performances

Bedford led the Hokies with 25 points, while Hansberry recorded another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. Sophomore guard Ben Hammond contributed 14 points off the bench.

Avdalas had a difficult day, scoring only eight points and taking just five shots. He also recorded a career-high seven turnovers, which was unusual for him. Despite this, he managed seven assists in the game.

Looking Ahead

Virginia Tech will face Stanford on Wednesday at Cassell Coliseum. The team is still without Tobi Lawal, Tyler Johnson, and Antonio Dorn. Head coach Mike Young mentioned that there’s a possibility Lawal could return for the upcoming game.