BC puts together defensive masterclass, pummels Virginia Tech

Donald Hand Jr. tossed in a game-high 16 points and Boston College ended a four-game losing streak by beating Virginia Tech 54-36 on Tuesday night in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Hand was 7 of 18 from the field and made two of Boston College's three 3-pointers. Chad Venning and Jayden Hastings each finished with eight points in the win.

The Eagles (11-15, 3-12 Atlantic Coast Conference) entered the contest with losses in 10 of their past 11 games overall but managed to improve to 8-7 at home.

Virginia Tech (11-15, 6-9) shot 15 of 51 from the field (29.4 percent), including a 3-of-19 mark from 3-point territory. The Hokies missed five of their eight free-throw attempts.

The 36 points were the fewest that Boston College has allowed in an ACC game since it joined the conference in 2005.

Mylyjael Poteat led Virginia Tech with 10 points and five rebounds. He made 5 of 9 field-goal attempts and was the only Hokie who didn't shoot below 50 percent from the floor.

Tobi Lawal, Tyler Johnson and Ben Hammond each added seven points for Virginia Tech. Lawal also had a game-high 10 rebounds.

Virginia Tech struggled at the offensive end throughout the opening 20 minutes and trailed 26-11 at halftime. The Hokies were 5 of 25 from the field in the first half.

Virginia Tech took a 6-5 lead with 15:21 left in the first half but failed to score again until the 6:10 mark of the period. Boston College used a 12-0 run to take a 17-6 lead.

Virginia Tech trimmed its deficit to 10 points, 33-23, but Boston College had its largest lead of the game after a Roger McFarlane 3-pointer made it 46-24 with 8:28 to play. The Hokies failed to get closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

McFarlane and Elijah Strong each scored six points for the Eagles, who made 24 of their 53 field-goal attempts.

--Field Level Media