Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest Falls To Virginia Tech, 71-52
3/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2007
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A.D. Vassallo scored 22 points, Deron Washington added 13 - all in the second half - and Virginia Tech pulled away for a 71-52 victory over worn-out Wake Forest in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Friday night.
The third-seeded Hokies used a fast-paced tempo to take advantage of Wake's short turnaround following a double-overtime victory against Georgia Tech that ended well past midnight.
The 11th-seeded Demon Deacons (15-16) looked fine to start the second-round game, but seemed to tire as it wore on - coming up short on jump shots, committing silly turnovers and failing to get back on defense.
Vassallo and Washington benefited most.
Vassallo had 11 points in each half, and Washington was the catalyst for a second-half run that turned a close game into a rout. Washington scored nine points in a 19-5 spurt that put the Hokies (21-10) ahead by double digits for good.
Washington followed two steals with easy baskets, had two layups and added a free throw - points that helped put Virginia Tech ahead 59-42 with 9:54 to play.
The Hokies cruised from there, and the most intriguing part of the final 10 minutes was watching the Tech cheerleaders perform the Hokey-Pokey while the defeated Wake players trudged through their dance line.
Wake's season ended with the loss, while Tech advanced to face 10th-seeded North Carolina State in the semifinals Saturday.
Kyle Visser had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Demon Deacons, who trailed 36-34 at the break but shot 28 percent (5-of-18) in the second half.
