Virginia Tech rallies for 73-70 win over Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams had plenty of reasons to be disappointed while his team fell behind by 15 points at Michigan.
There was also a lot time left.
''I didn't think we were playing hard, I didn't think we were playing tough. I understand the environment, I understand we've been gone nine days, I get all of that,'' Williams said. ''I thought over the last 30 minutes, there was more of a distinct brand of what we want to be about.''
Zach LeDay scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half, and the Hokies rallied to beat Michigan 73-70 on Wednesday night. Virginia Tech trailed 23-8 in the first half and 62-52 with 7:23 left in the second.
Playing their fourth straight game away from home, the Hokies (6-1) were down 67-63 before a 3-pointer by Justin Bibbs started an 8-0 run. Seth Allen gave Virginia Tech the lead with a driving layup , then added a 3-pointer.
Duncan Robinson's 3-pointer with 42 seconds left pulled Michigan (5-2) to within a point, and an offensive foul on Allen gave the Wolverines the ball back. But Michigan was out of timeouts, and Zak Irvin ended up trying a tough jumper from just inside the arc that missed.
''We were trying to isolate him, and they took him away a little bit,'' Wolverines coach John Beilein said. ''We know what to do when they take him away, and we didn't do it.''
After Bibbs made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, Robinson had a chance to tie it, but his 3-pointer from the left wing missed.
Michigan was in total control at the start, jumping out to a 17-4 lead and eventually going up by 15 on a 3-pointer by Derrick Walton. Virginia Tech was down 39-30 at halftime but opened the second half with a 9-2 run.
''I just came out in the second half and I wanted to be aggressive,'' LeDay said. ''In the first half, I was trying to feel it out, and Coach told me not to be like that, he told me to just be aggressive, go full throttle, and that's what I did.''
Irvin led Michigan with 23 points.
BIG PICTURE
Virginia Tech: The Hokies did their part in the ACC-Big Ten challenge, coming away with an upset win on the road. Virginia Tech had little trouble scoring after its slow start. Four players ended up in double figures.
Michigan: The Wolverines have looked better on defense this season, but the second half of this game was a bit of a wake-up call. Virginia Tech shot 52 percent from the field on the night.
FREE THROWS
Virginia Tech took advantage of its foul shots, going 19 of 21 from the line. Michigan was only 4 of 7 and didn't attempt any until the second half. Forward D.J. Wilson fouled out for the Wolverines with 3:03 remaining.
''They played small ball,'' Irvin said. ''They were really just isolating our five. Figured if D.J. could go in there, he's versatile, he can play multiple positions, and once he fouled out, it was tough from there on.''
HANGING IN THERE
There was only one lead change in the game - after Allen's basket put the Hokies up 68-67 with 1:46 to play.
''Thank goodness in the time I've been coaching you haven't seen too many games like that,'' Beilein said. ''Where we lead the whole game and we can't make enough stops or finishes at the end offensively to win the game.''
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech: The Hokies don't play again until next Wednesday night, when they host Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Michigan: The Wolverines host Kennesaw State on Saturday, taking a break from major-conference competition during a four-game stretch that includes matchups with Virginia Tech, Texas and UCLA.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | — | — | — |
Min. Per Game | ||
Pts. Per Game | ||
Ast. Per Game | ||
Reb. Per Game | ||
Field Goal % | ||
Three Point % | ||
Free Throw % |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Points | 0 | 0 |
Field Goals | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
3-Pointers | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
Free Throws | 0-0 (0.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
Total Rebounds | 0 | 0 |
Offensive | 0 | 0 |
Defensive | 0 | 0 |
Team | 0 | 0 |
Assists | 0 | 0 |
Steals | 0 | 0 |
Blocks | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fouls | 0 | 0 |
Technicals | 0 | 0 |
|
Team Stats | |||
---|---|---|---|
Virginia Tech - | 79.1 PPG | 35.1 RPG | 15.1 APG |
Michigan - | 75.0 PPG | 31.7 RPG | 13.9 APG |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |