Blacksburg blues

Clemson falls 70-59 to Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg Saturday afternoon.

Clemson drops to 16-7 on the season (4-5 in ACC) while Virginia Tech improves to 18-4 (5-3 in ACC).

Free throws were the story, as the Hokies went 38-46 (83 percent) from the line. It was the highest number of free throws attempted against the Tigers since 1958. Point guard Malcolm Delaney scored a game-high 30 points, 20 of which came from the charity stripe.

In the first half, free throws accounted for 20 of Virginia Tech’s 29 points. Clemson held Delaney to no field goals through the first 20 minutes, though he managed to score 13, all from the charity stripe.

Clemson hit 14-of-21 shots from the free throw line.

Jerai Grant picked another double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds. He also blocked four shots.

David Potter and Tanner Smith both scored 11 points. Andre Young reached double figures too, adding 10.

In his first game back after missing two-straight with a mid-foot sprain, Demontez Stitt managed three points and an assist on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.

In the first half, Clemson has managed to make just nine field goals, but gave up just four on the defensive end. The first half shooting performance was the worst in school history for Virginia Tech.

Both teams shot 31 percent from the field.