The Virginia Tech Hokies' journey in the ACC Tournament came to an abrupt halt as they fell to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 95-89, in a thrilling overtime clash on Tuesday night in Charlotte. It was a game that saw the Hokies battling uphill from the start, with All-ACC forward Amani Hansberry sidelined in street clothes. Coach Mike Young had to pivot, starting Tobi Lawal, Christian Gurdak, Ben Hammond, Neoklis Avdalas, and Jailen Bedford.
Wake Forest took control early, maintaining a lead throughout the first half. The Hokies, however, showed resilience.
A pivotal moment came when Bedford's layup at the 16-minute mark in the second half gave Virginia Tech its first lead at 41-40. Avdalas followed up with a crucial three-pointer, and Hammond's shot from beyond the arc extended the lead to 52-47.
Yet, defense was the Achilles' heel for the Hokies. The Demon Deacons quickly erased the lead with a seven-point surge. Despite a valiant 9-0 run by Virginia Tech to edge ahead 73-71, Wake Forest's timely shooting, including a critical three-pointer to reclaim momentum, proved decisive.
As regulation wound down, Hammond tied it at 75, but missed opportunities haunted Tech. Hammond's drive into the lane and Bedford's missed putback at the buzzer sent the game into overtime.
In OT, Wake Forest seized control, scoring the first five points and never relinquishing the lead. The Demon Deacons shot an impressive 51% from the field, heating up when it mattered most. Meanwhile, the Hokies struggled to capitalize on their 45-28 rebounding advantage, missing several key putbacks.
Hammond was a standout for Virginia Tech with 23 points, while Bedford and Schutt chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively. Avdalas had a tough outing, contributing just five points and struggling with turnovers, which limited his playtime down the stretch and in overtime.
In the end, it was a night of missed chances for the Hokies, as Wake Forest's composure and shooting prowess in overtime sealed their fate.