BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points to lead No. 10 Virginia Tech to a 77-66 victory over Boston College on Saturday.
Alexander-Walker made 9 of 14 from the floor for the Hokies (13-1, 2-0 ACC), who overcame a cold-shooting first half to win their eighth straight game. Virginia Tech shot 55.6 percent in the second half (15 of 27).
Boston College (9-4, 0-1) led early in the second half, but Virginia Tech took control with an 11-0 run. Alexander-Walker scored six of those points as the Hokies took a 43-36 lead and never trailed. Alexander-Walker set a career high in scoring in an ACC game.
Virginia Tech led by as many as 16 in the second half and maintained the lead because of its proficiency from the free-throw line. The Hokies made 9 of their final 11 attempts in the final 9:16 and finished 21 of 25 for the game.
Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 20 points for Virginia Tech, hitting 6 of 7 from the floor and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line. Justin Robinson scored 12 and had five assists.
Jordan Chatman paced the Eagles with 18 points. Boston College shot just 39.6 percent (19 of 48).
TIP-INS
Virginia Tech: Alexander-Walker has scored in double figures in all 13 games he’s played this season and scored at least 20 points in seven games.
Boston College: The Eagles will need improved play from star guard Ky Bowman to compete in the ACC. Bowman entered the game averaging 20.9 points, but scored just 14 against the Hokies. He didn’t hit a field goal in the final 18:31 and scored just two points on free throws.