Cardinals Drop Home Decision to Virginia Tech

Tuesday, March 5

LOUISVILLE, KY

7 p.m.

University of Louisville

Virginia Tech

March 05, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score PDF Box VIDEO: Kenny Payne Press Conference VIDEO: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield/Mike James Press Conference

By: Zach Greenwell

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville men's basketball gave up 13 3-pointers to Virginia Tech on Tuesday night and couldn't dig out of an early hole in an 80-64 loss at the KFC Yum! Center.

Virginia Tech made eight 3-pointers in the first half and led by as much as 23 with 1:50 to go in the frame. The Cardinals (8-22, 3-16 ACC) cut it to 10 multiple times in the second half but never came any closer.

Five Hokies scored in double figures, and three of them made at least three 3s.

They led 49-31 at the break, but UofL freshman guard Ty-Laur Johnson trimmed it to 10 at 61-51 with his second 3-pointer of the game at the 11:32 mark.

Virginia Tech (17-13, 9-10) answered with a 3, and after Louisville later made it a 10-point game again at 74-64 with 3:24 to go, the Cards never scored again.

Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield led Louisville with 19 points, while redshirt sophomore guard/forward Mike James added 16.

Johnson tallied 10 points and four assists, and graduate senior forward Zan Payne had career highs of six points and six rebounds.

Sean Pedulla paced Virginia Tech with 15 points.

The Cardinals wrap up the regular season with Senior Night against Boston College at 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. The game will air on CW.