Tech falls to Miami on heart-breaking buzzer-beater

Catoor vs miami
Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor (0) goes in for a lay up during a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Virginia Tech Hokies on January 26, 2022 at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Brian Bishop/The Patriot)

Hokiesports.com

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech fell to Miami 78-75 at home Wednesday on Charlie Moore’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer as time expired.

The Hokies (10-10, 2-7) had four players score in double figures, led by Keve Aluma, who had 14 points and three blocks. Darius Maddox tacked on 13 points, four assists and two blocks from the bench and Nahiem Alleyne helped out with 13 points.

Justyn Mutts flirted with a triple-double, as the graduate senior had nine points, eight assists and 10 rebounds.

For the third time this season, Tech shot 50 percent or above from three, as it shot 13-26 from beyond the arc. Hunter Cattoor made a team-high four 3-pointers.

Virginia Tech did a great job disrupting Miami shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks, which tied a season high. Aluma’s three rejections led the way individually for the Hokies.

How It Happened

After falling behind 22-14, Virginia Tech went on a 5-0 run with 10:45 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from David N’Guessan, to narrow its deficit to 22-19. Miami answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Hokies down 36-31 entering halftime.

Virginia Tech came out of halftime clicking on all cylinders, going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Alleyne’s three, to seize a 37-36 lead with 18:58 to go in the contest. Miami re-asserted control, outscoring the Hokies 42-38 the rest of the way. Ultimately, the game came down to a half-court heave from Moore that fell to give Miami the win.

Game Notes

» Virginia Tech lost on a last-second shot by Charlie Moore.
» The Hokies made half of their attempts from 3-point range, knocking down 13 of 26 shots.
» The Hokies shared the ball well, recording an assist on 80 percent of made baskets and had a season-high 20 assists.
» The Virginia Tech bench came alive by adding 23 points to its scoring output.
» Virginia Tech lost despite a 28-22 rebounding advantage.
» For the first time this season, a Tech opponent shot above 50 percent from three, shooting 61 percent.
» The Hokies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying six blocks as a team.
» Keve Aluma led the Hokies with 14 points.
» Virginia Tech got a game-high 10 rebounds from Justyn Mutts.
» After totaling 12 turnovers in the first half, the Hokies only turned the ball over twice in the second stanza.