December 2, 2001

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia Tech men's basketball lost a heart-breaker at Virginia, 69-61, Saturday night in University Hall in Charlottesville. The Hokies fall to 4-2 overall, while #8 Virginia moves to 4-0.

Tech jumped out to a 43-27 halftime lead and led by as many as 19 points late in the first half. The Hokies shot 51.5% in the first half, including 70.0% from three-point range. The Cavaliers fought back in the second half, taking the lead for good with 2:13 remaining in the contest on a jump shot by Roger Mason, Jr. The Hokies continued battling, but failed to regain the lead in the final moments of play and the Cavaliers held on for the victory.

Sophomores Carlos Dixon (Salisbury, N.C.) and Bryant Matthews (Columbia, S.C.) each scored 12 points in the loss. Senior Carlton Carter (Trenton, N.J.) collected his second double-double in as many games, with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Mason led all scorers with 22 points.

Tech held Virginia to 32.8% from the field and outrebounded the Cavaliers, 50-41, but Tech committed 27 turnovers in the game. Carter and Mason were named Dominion Power Players of the Game for their respective teams.

Virginia Tech finishes this five-games-in-10-days stretch on Monday night, as they host arch-rival VMI at 7 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.