Northwestern outlasts Virginia Tech on OT 81-79

By foxsports
Published

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Bryant McIntosh scored 19 points to lead Northwestern to an 81-79 overtime victory over Virginia Tech on Tuesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

McIntosh hit 8 of 15 for the Wildcats (6-1), who shot 47.8 percent (32 of 67) from the floor. He also grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists.

McIntosh's layup with 27 seconds left in overtime gave the Wildcats an 81-79 lead. Virginia Tech (4-3) then called a timeout, and the Hokies' Chris Clarke missed a baseline jumper at the buzzer that would have tied the game.

Northwestern led by as many as 11 in the first half and 45-36 at halftime. The Hokies never led in the second half, but tied the game twice, with the final time coming on two Seth Allen free throws with 55.3 seconds left that evened the game at 73.

Both teams had chances to win in regulation. Northwestern's Bryant McIntosh missed a layup with 47 seconds to go, and the Hokies' Clarke missed a layup inside with 26 seconds left. On the final possession of regulation, the Wildcats ran the clock down and Tre Demps took a short jumper in the lane that didn't fall with 2 seconds left. Allen's halfcourt heave nearly went in at the buzzer, but didn't and the game went into overtime.

Demps added 17 points for the Wildcats, and Sanjay Lumpkin scored 12.

Allen led Virginia Tech with 25 points. Justin Bibbs added 17 while Clarke had 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Virginia Tech is now 3-7 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge while Northwestern is 7-10.

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TIP-INS

Northwestern: The game marked a return to Blacksburg for center Joey Van Zegeren, who spent parts of four seasons playing for the Hokies before graduating and transferring to Northwestern. ... The Wildcats hit six 3-pointers in the first half and have hit at least five 3-pointers in the first half of six straight games. . Demps and McIntosh have scored in double figures in every game this season. . Nathan Taphorn scored in double figures for the first time this season.

Virginia Tech: The athletics department introduced new football coach Justin Fuente to the crowd at halftime. Fuente, who came from Memphis, will take over for retiring coach Frank Beamer. . The Hokies have trailed at halftime in three straight games. . Clarke recorded his third double-double of the season and became the first Tech freshman with back-to-back double-doubles since Jeff Allen since the 2007-08 season. . Zach LeDay led the Hokies in scoring at 19 points per game coming into this one, but finished with just two points.

UP NEXT

Northwestern plays at home against SIU Edwardsville on Saturday.

Virginia Tech takes on Arkansas Pine Bluff at home on Saturday.