FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 73, Vermont 51
BLACKSBURG, Va. – A cold start on the offensive end for Vermont (8-4) led to a 73-51 loss to Virginia Tech (8-3, 1-0 ACC) on Saturday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum.
 
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Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Tough day today against a really good Virginia Tech team," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "Just couldn't really buy a basket early and dug ourselves in a hole obviously. But I thought the guys battled for the last 30 minutes of the game and we were able to get you know almost everyone in and get them quality minutes tonight. We'll have a lot to take from the tape and we'll get better from this. Looking forward to getting back out on the court against Toledo on Wednesday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both squads started slow, despite an 8-0 opening run for the Hokies. Vermont and Virginia Tech had combined to make three of the first 16 field goal attempts of the game with the Cats missing each of their first eight shots. Aaron Deloney snapped a 6:24 scoring drought with a step-back jumper.  
• Virginia Tech countered with 18-straight points over the next 6:11 to take a 26-2 lead. Seven different Hokies contributed to the scoring run, hitting six of their eight field goals including a 4-for-5 clip from long range.
• Nick Fiorillo ended the Hokies' run with a layup on the following possession to end a lengthy offensive drought. The graduate student scored seven points over the final 7:08 to help turn the UVM attack around for the rest of the half. Vermont made six of its final nine field goals in the frame and outscored Virginia Tech 15-10 during that stretch to trail 36-17 at the break.  
• A driving layup from TJ Hurley on the first possession of the second half opened the scoring as the sophomore registered Vermont's first five points. The Cats outscored the Hokies 9-7 in the first 3:14 of the frame to trail 43-26.
• After trading baskets, Virginia Tech embarked on a 13-6 run before the midway point of the second half to take a 61-36 lead with 10:44 remaining.
• The Catamounts saw production from its rookies in the late minutes of the second half. Jackson Skipper and Seth Joba each knocked down three pointers. Joba's triple was the first of his career.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Fiorillo led all Catamounts with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field. The UVM forward knocked down one triple and was 2-for-3 from the line.
• Vermont finished the day shooting 21-for-56 (36.8%) from the field and 4-for-20 (20.0%) from long range.
• UVM's 17-point first half marks the first time that it scored in the teens in the opening frame since Nov. 19, 2019 when it had 18 points at No. 7 Virginia. Coincidentally, that was the last time Vermont had visited the state.

UP NEXT
UVM's road trip continues on Wednesday (Dec. 20) at Toledo. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. ET at Savage Arena. Tickets are available at utrockets.com.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The matchup between the Catamounts and Rockets will broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball