Clemson’s cross-country swing finally caught up with them.
After handling business out West against California and Stanford, the 20th-ranked Tigers returned home Wednesday and couldn’t recapture that same edge, falling 76–66 to a Virginia Tech team that arrived in Littlejohn Coliseum desperate for a résumé-boosting win.
The loss continued an emerging trend around the league. Since Cal and Stanford joined the ACC, teams are now just 4–10 in games immediately following West Coast trips — and Clemson became the latest to feel that effect.
Virginia Tech seized control early and never truly let go. The Hokies poured in 40 first-half points, shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor and knocking down seven of their first 11 attempts from three-point range. Constant movement, backdoor cuts, and quick ball reversals repeatedly put Clemson’s defense on its heels, allowing Tech to carry a 40–33 lead into the locker room.
Clemson briefly showed signs of life coming out of halftime, trimming the deficit to four, but a timely response from the Hokies quickly swung momentum back. A short run pushed the lead to double figures, and from there, Virginia Tech consistently answered every Tiger surge.
Jailen Bedford delivered the biggest blow late, drilling a corner three with just over two minutes remaining to stretch the lead back to eight and effectively put the game away. Bedford finished with a game-high 23 points, while Ben Hammond added 19.
For Clemson, Carter Welling led the way with 19 points and six rebounds, battling through an ankle injury before returning to the floor. Ace Buckner and Nick Davidson each chipped in 16 points, though Buckner exited late after appearing to suffer a leg injury and did not return.
Free throws proved costly for the Tigers. Clemson went 11-of-18 at the line, while Virginia Tech was perfect, converting all 13 of its attempts.
Clemson makes elite four star running back’s final four schools. https://t.co/JLW0Rp1B5Spic.twitter.com/NcYZk1eJZg
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) February 11, 2026
The Hokies ended the night shooting 52 percent from the field and 11-of-21 from beyond the arc, while also scoring 28 points in the paint. Clemson, meanwhile, couldn’t find the defensive consistency that fueled its success earlier in the week.
Despite the setback, Clemson still sits at 20–5 overall and 10–2 in ACC play, but the margin for error tightens with a challenging road test looming.
Up next, the Tigers travel to Durham for a noon showdown Saturday against fourth-ranked Duke — a quick opportunity to respond and show that Wednesday’s stumble was more blip than trend.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson basketball falls short against ACC foe Virginia Tech
