Virginia Tech Falls to SMU in Final-Second Heartbreaker
Virginia Tech’s season took another gut-punch on Wednesday night, falling 77-76 to SMU in a game that had all the makings of a statement road win - until it slipped away in the final seconds. With the loss, the Hokies drop to 13-5 overall and 2-3 in ACC play, and for the third time in two weeks, they’re left wondering what could’ve been.
This one stings - not just because of the final score, but because of how close Tech came to pulling off a gritty win in a hostile environment.
A Game of Runs and Resilience
The first half was a tug-of-war. SMU looked like they might seize early control midway through the opening frame, going on a 9-0 run to build a 21-12 lead.
But Virginia Tech responded with poise. Jaden Schutt’s layup late in the half capped a strong push that gave the Hokies a brief 33-32 lead.
SMU would take a 39-38 edge into the break, but it was clear this game was going to be a battle to the final buzzer.
Coming out of halftime, the Hokies struck first and kept answering every Mustang surge. Jailen Bedford and Schutt were relentless, combining for clutch shots that kept SMU at bay. Bedford led the way with 22 points, showcasing the kind of shot-making and confidence that’s becoming his signature.
Defensively, Tech did well early against SMU’s Boopie Miller, keeping him relatively quiet in the first half. But the second half was a different story.
Miller exploded for 19 of his 24 points after the break, using his quickness to draw contact and get to the line - a lot. He finished 11-of-16 from the stripe, and his ability to generate offense when SMU needed it most was a difference-maker.
Free Throws and a Final Sequence to Forget
For all the good Virginia Tech did to stay in control, the free-throw line told a different story. The Hokies shot just 61% (11-of-18) from the line - a number that loomed large in the game’s closing moments.
With under a minute left, Miller hit one of two free throws to cut Tech’s lead to 73-72. On the next possession, Schutt calmly drilled a three with 29 seconds left, putting the Hokies up four and seemingly on the verge of sealing SMU’s first home loss of the season.
Then, chaos.
Miller missed a three on the other end, but Virginia Tech couldn’t close it out. After securing the rebound, the Hokies tried to inbound the ball and burn the final seconds.
But Amani Hansberry’s pass to Neoklis Avdalas was mishandled, and SMU pounced. A quick layup cut the lead to 76-74.
Still, Tech had a chance to ice it.
Ben Hammond, a reliable 84% free-throw shooter, was fouled and headed to the line in a one-and-one situation. The kind of moment you want your best shooter in.
But Hammond missed the front end. Tobi Lawal grabbed the offensive board and was fouled - another shot to close the door.
Lawal, a 78% shooter, also missed his free throw.
SMU rebounded, called timeout, and drew up one last play.
With just 2.6 seconds left, Miller took the inbounds pass, raced past half court, and let it fly. Buzzer.
Backboard. Net.
Game over.
For the third time in ACC play, the Hokies lost at the horn.
What Went Wrong?
It’s hard to point to one moment - because there were several. The missed free throws in the final seconds will get the spotlight, and rightfully so. But the turnover on the inbounds pass and the inability to lock down Miller down the stretch were equally costly.
Avdalas had a mixed night. He finished with 10 points and six assists, but struggled to find rhythm shooting the ball, going just 4-of-12 from the field and 0-for-7 from deep. Outside of him, though, the Hokies actually shot well from long range - hitting 9-of-21 from beyond the arc.
This wasn’t a case of being outmatched. It was a game Virginia Tech had in hand - and let slip away.
What’s Next?
A win in Dallas would’ve been a significant resume boost for a Hokies team looking to build momentum in a crowded ACC picture. Instead, it’s another missed opportunity and another long flight home with more questions than answers.
Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum to face Notre Dame on Saturday - a chance to reset, regroup, and hopefully, close out a close one. Because if this stretch has shown anything, it’s that the Hokies are right there. They just need to finish.
And after three heartbreakers in two weeks, they’re due.