March 3, 2026; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Boston College Eagles forward Jaden Hastings (22) shoots while Virginia Tech Hokies forward Amani Hansberry (13) defends during the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images Toby Rawal scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as Virginia Tech won 72-63 over Boston College on Tuesday in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Neoklis Avdalas scored 14 of his 15 points in the first half to get the Hokies (19-11, 8-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) off to a fast start. Virginia Tech defeated the Eagles, a foe that had won six of the previous seven meetings.
Amani Hansberry had 11 points and seven rebounds and Ben Hammond also had 11 points for Virginia Tech, which desperately needed a win as it is on the wrong side of the selection bubble in most NCAA Tournament projections.
The Hokies built a 19-point lead at halftime and were up 35-24 at halftime. However, Virginia Tech continued to play poorly, committing four turnovers in the first two minutes of the second half, allowing the Eagles to cut the deficit to six points on four occasions.
Lawal rose to the challenge, scoring 11 points in 5:02 minutes, and the Hokies took a 67-52 lead with five minutes left.
Boden Kapke scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Boston College (10-20, 3-14), which had lost for the 10th time in its last 11 games.
Fred Payne added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Eagles, who are in danger of not qualifying for the ACC Tournament for the second straight year. The top 15 in the 18-team league qualify for next week’s event in Charlotte.
Virginia Tech dominated the opening minutes, with Avdalas draining two 3-pointers and Hansberry hitting a pair of layups inside as the Hokies jumped out to a 14-4 lead.
Late in the first half, the 6-foot-9 Avdalas showed his versatility, starting with a 3-pointer and finishing with a low post scoop shot during his 13-point performance.
Hansberry and Tyler Johnson also hit triples to give Virginia Tech its largest lead of the game, 30-11.
Boston College scored the final six points of the first half to cut the deficit to 11 points.
Late in the second half, Hammond hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to close out the win for the Hokies.
–Field level media
