Virginia Tech Chokes Away Big Lead To Syracuse Orange, Falls In OT

Virginia Tech had suffered from a painful 4 game losing streak, falling in tight contests to Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Louisville, and in a blowout at Pittsburgh. Tonight, though, the Hokies looked like the better team for much of the matchup. Getting some great contributions down low, VT was pushing hard for a huge program-altering victory at the Carrier Dome.

Michael Gbinije laughed at the notion. With a smooth shot, the sharpshooter tied the game with a trey, tying the game and sending it into overtime. Syracuse overpowered the Hokies in the extra session, pushing themselves to a victory, 68-60.

VT Can't Be Stopped Early

The Hokies wanted to set the pace early after getting routed by Pittsburgh in the Oakland Zoo on Sunday. Seth Allen, who set a career high of 28 in that game, picked up where he left off by nailing 2 early three-pointers. Big man Zach LeDay, a no-show in Buzz Williams's team's last game, came alive in the 1st half, going 5 for 5 shooting for 11 points.

Tyler Roberson played well for Syracuse in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 8 points by pounding the paint. Tyler Lydon put forth a late mini-spurt with 2 free throws made and a three-pointer, but Virginia Tech ended with a 30-24 lead in the first.

Virginia Tech played some sensational on-ball defense early, shutting down three-point specialist Trevor Cooney and giving Malachi Richardson fits. Syracuse center DaJuan Coleman was essentially a non-factor during the half.

Syracuse Finds Rhythm, Battles Back

The Orange got off to an auspicious start to the 2nd half, with Trevor Cooney, scoreless in the first half, drilling a key trey. VT's Justin Bibbs, one of the best outside shooters in the nation, answered right back with a rainbow shot of his own.

The teams traded buckets for a while, but then Malachi Richardson knocked down a huge three to get the crowd rocking. Later, Tyler Roberson dunked the ball to get the Orange within 1. Roberson was fouled just a minute later, making 1 out of 2 to tie the ball game up.

Virginia Tech started finding some more passing lanes down low for layups, and the froncout duo of Zach LeDay and Kerry Blackshear Jr. helped the Hokies get the lead to eight with only two minutes remaining. Role player Justin Robinson also helped the Fighting Gobbler cause.

But Jim Boeheim's team, in the midst of a fight for an NCAA Tournament spot, would not quit. Malachi Richardson got open and netted a key three with a minute and a half remaining, Tyler Lydon dunked home the ball with a minute left, and Michael Gbinije drilled the dramatic long ball with 26 ticks left. The game went to overtime after both teams missed shots in the waning seconds.

Virginia Tech could not orginate much offense in the overtime session, only getting two buckets from KJ Blackshear. Electrifying long three-pointers from Trevor Cooney and Malachi Richardson sealed the deal, as the Orange held on for a huge win.

Analysis

Virginia Tech is fighting hard for an NIT bid in their 2nd year of the Buzz Williams rebuilding effort. This 5 game losing streak is heartbreaking after a tremendous start to the ACC season, and their schedule does not get any better from here.

Inconsistencies will be common for a young team like Virginia Tech, but the Hokies should be able to rely on senior Seth Allen in big games like these. The senior, though, was poor in the 2nd half, as he ended up going 4 for 12 in the game. He also committed four crippling turnovers.

Old VPI must be proud with the effort their producing, but it's the little mistakes that are adding up and manufacturing losses.

Syracuse can't be extremely happy with itself either. They had to overcome a horrific start to the game, as well as some key free throw misses. Their reliance on the long ball hurt them early, and it took some miraculous treys to get them back in this one.

The Orange must continue to rely on Tyler Roberson going forward. The big man scored 12 points to go along with a whopping 15 rebounds on the night. He is the strong, consistent man that Jim Boeheim needs to work like a horse if the team wants to get to the NCAA Tournament.