ACC/Big Ten Challenge: Heartbreak Hokies Lose Again at Buzzer

No. 22 Wisconsin (Badgers, 40,442 students, Madison, WI) 74, VIRGINIA TECH 72

Not long after a beyond-half-court bomb by No. 14 Xavier derailed the Virginia Tech upset train in Puerto Rico, last night the Hokies lost another heartbreaker on a last second shot to No. 22 Wisconsin in the opening salvo of the 10th Annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Badgers Trevon Hughes (No. 3) hit a floater in the lane with 0.9 seconds to hand the Hokies (4-3) another tough loss to a ranked opponent.

Wisconsin (6-0) had led throughout the game, but Virginia Tech rallied behind leading scorer A.D. Vassallo (30 points) and a raucous home crowd at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.

Vassallo’s sixth three-pointer capped a 14-5 run that tied the game with seven seconds to play.

Marcus Landry scored 18 points and Jon Leuer had 17 for the Badgers, who shot an impressive 12-for-18 from behind the three-point arc (66.7%), only to be matched by Virginia Tech’s 11-for-16 (68.8%).

The Hokies Victor Davila had 13 points while leading scorer Jeff Allen fouled out with just two.

Virginia Tech is now 1-3 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and they have now lost eight straight to ranked opponents. Wisconsin improved to 4-6 in the early seasons bragging contest.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge continues tonight with Iowa @ Boston College, Ohio State @ Miami, Clemson @ Illinois, Duke @ Purdue, and Virginia @ Minnesota.

(AP Photos/Don Petersen)