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No. 25 Xavier escapes Virginia Tech behind Johnson's 30

NEW YORK (AP) — Nate Johnson scored 30 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, and No. 25 Xavier beat Virginia Tech 59-58 in the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off on Friday night.

Johnson was the only player to finish in double-figure scoring for Xavier (5-1).

“Nate was terrific,” Xavier coach Travis Steele said. “I've said this before: He's the best shooter and I don't think it's even close. Those numbers will always bear themselves out over time.”

Nahiem Alleyne scored 18 points for the Hokies (5-2), who were coming off a loss to No. 9 Memphis on Wednesday. Hunter Cattoor chipped in with 13 points and Keve Aluma added 12.

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“We're not as good as we thought we were,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said. “We've got work to do.”

Xavier, which lost 82-70 to Iowa State on Wednesday, led Virginia Tech 45-37 midway through the second half before the Hokies began to rally, going on a 16-4 run to push ahead 53-49 with 3:46 remaining.

“The response was quite good in the second half,” Young said. “It did look like our team.”

Johnson tied it with a 3, Virginia Tech took the lead again, and Xavier's Jack Nunge tied it 56-all on a 3-pointer with 1:56 left. After misses by both teams, Alleyne's layup put Virginia Tech ahead before Johnson's decisive 3. Cattoor missed a jumper at the buzzer for the Hokies and Justyn Mutts couldn’t convert a tip-in.

“We had a set play,” Cattoor said. “(Young) trusts me to take that shot. It felt good. ... I told Justyn before the play, ‘(If) this shot comes off, it’s your tip-in.' He was there to make a play and unfortunately it just didn't go in.”

Xavier led 35-27 after a hot-shooting first half. The Musketeers shot 56% from the field, including 50% (6 for 12) from 3-point range, while limiting Virginia Tech to 37.5% shooting.

BIG PICTURE

Xavier: The Musketeers had struggled from 3-point range, making 27.3% of their attempts before Friday night, but shot 10 for 22 (45.5%) from beyond the arc against the Hokies.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies have reached the NCAA Tournament four years in a row and this team looks capable of extending that streak. Entering Friday, the Hokies had limited opponents to 35.2% shooting from the field, along with forcing 14.2 turnovers and blocking three shots per game. Xavier turned it over 14 times, but Virginia Tech allowed the Musketeers to shoot 47.8% from the field.

UP NEXT

Xavier: Hosts Central Michigan on Wednesday.

Virginia Tech: Visits Maryland on Wednesday.

___

More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25