A second-half rally from the NC State men’s basketball team was not enough to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit, and the Pack fell 85-75 to Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The game was tied 23-23 with 8:52 to go in the first half before the Hokies (17-7, 6-5 ACC) went on a 14-1 run to build a lead that NC State (16-8, 6-5 ACC) would never overcome.

The biggest lead for Tech was 55-37 with 17:22 to go in the game. The closest the Pack got was 61-55 halfway through the second half. NC State kept up the game pressure but Virginia Tech kept the Wolfpack at arms length the rest of the night.

The Hokies shot 64.5 percent from the field for the game, while State shot 43.5 percent. The Pack shot 16 free throws, while Tech shot 29. State won the rebounding battle, 34-27.

NC State was 10-31 from behind the 3-point line, while the Hokies were 3-10. 

Sophomore center Omer Yurtseven scored 20 points in only 22 minutes, while hampered by foul trouble. He picked up his second foul less than five minutes into the game and had to sit on the bench for the majority of the rest of the first half.

Sophomore point guard Markell Johnson had his fifth consecutive game of double-digit assists, with 10. He added 15 points.

No other Pack player scored more than nine points. Guard Justin Robinson led the Hokies with 32 points.

This game was a matchup of two potential bubble teams, but was a much more important game for the Hokies, who have games against Virginia and Duke up next. They couldn’t afford a home loss to the Pack. The Pack is in a much better situation based on its upcoming schedule and big wins that NC State already has. NC State and the Hokies are now tied for fifth in the ACC with 6-5 conference records. Louisville and UNC-Chapel Hill are also 6-5.

NC State will look to rebound on Saturday when it goes for its first season sweep of UNC-Chapel Hill since 2003. The game is at 2 p.m. on Saturday at PNC Arena.