Virginia Tech 67, Boston College 48

2/26/2008 7:59 PM

By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -A.D. Vassallo scored all 12 of his points in the second half, seven during an 18-4 run, and Virginia Tech enhanced its postseason resume with its third consecutive victory, beating Boston College 67-48 Tuesday night.

The Hokies (17-11, 8-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) led 30-25 when Jeff Allen scored underneath with 18:11 to play, sparking the big burst. Virginia Tech continually limited the Eagles to one shot in the run, and beat them to all the loose balls.

Boston College missed seven straight shots during the Hokies' run, while Vassallo, the Hokies' leading scorer, hit two jump shots and a 3-pointer, and Deron Washington added 5 points, including one of several fast-break dunks that marked the blowout.

The Eagles (13-13, 4-9) trailed 48-29 by the time the run was finished with 12 minutes to play and offered little resistance in their ninth loss in 10 games. Virginia Tech outrebounded the Eagles 50-33 and Boston College shot just 31 percent.

Richmond native Tyrese Rice led the listless Eagles with 15 points, but missed 10 of 16 shots, had four turnovers and no assists. Rakim Sanders added 13 points.

Freshmen J.T. Thompson and Jeff Allen led the Hokies with 13 points each, and Allen also grabbed 10 rebounds and had three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

The victory was essentially a must-have for Virginia Tech, which has erased the memory of a three-game losing streak by winning three in a row. The Hokies have two regular season games remaining, at home against Wake Forest and then at Clemson.

The Hokies led 25-20 after a first half that was sloppy for both teams.

Virginia Tech had 10 turnovers, but outscored the Eagles 18-10 over the last 11 minutes. Boston College missed its first six shots and was 9-for-28 at the break.