Penn State downs Virginia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

The No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies dropped their first game of the 2020-21 college basketball season on Tuesday to the Penn State Nittany Lions, 75-55, in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Hokies looked out of sorts from the beginning, missing shots, struggling on defense, while Penn State was red-hot from start to finish.

The Nittany Lions shot 50 percent from the field and were even more impressive from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 of 23 attempts.

Meanwhile, the Hokies shot just 37 percent from the field, and were even worse from three-point range, hitting just six of 22 attempts. Virginia Tech even struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 50 percent from the charity stripe.

Anytime it appeared the Hokies were on the verge of a run, Penn State would make multiple shots and the Hokies would get further behind.

Penn State guard Izaiah Brockington led the Nittany Lions with 24 points in the win.

For the first time this season, Virginia Tech forward Keve Aluma didn’t score in double figures, scoring eight points. Aluma did finish with 12 rebounds.

In his second game back, sophomore guard Jalen Cone led the Hokies with 11 points, shooting three of eight from three-point range.

Naheim Alleyne chipped in with 10 points for Virginia Tech.

The Hokies turned the ball over 14 times and had just eight assists in the defeat.

With the loss, Tech falls to 4-1 on the season and next take the court on Monday for the ACC opener against the Clemson Tigers in Cassell Coliseum.