Va Tech Freshman Landers Nolley Takes Down #3 Spartans In Maui

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Landers Nolley II peeled off a screen and, without hesitation, let a 3-pointer fly from the wing. The ball dropped, giving Virginia Tech the cushion it needed to hold off No. 3 Michigan State.

One big shot, one massive victory for the Hokies.

 

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Landers Nolley II #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies follows his shot late in the second half that would seal the victory over the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)

 

Nolley hit that crucial 3-pointer in the final minute and scored 22 points, helping Virginia Tech outlast the Spartans 71-66 at the Maui Invitational on Monday.

"They believed in me," Nolley said. "And I hit the shot."

Virginia Tech (6-0) had low expectations — at least outside the program — in coach Mike Young's first season in Blacksburg, picked to finish 14th in the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason poll.

 

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)

 

The Hokies grinded through a back-and-forth second half before going up 10 with 4½ minutes left. Michigan State fought back to pull within one, but Nolley responded with a 3 for a 68-64 lead with 47 seconds left.

Virginia Tech made just enough free throws down the stretch to earn a spot in Tuesday's semifinal against Dayton.

"That's a really good player making a big-league play," Young said. "It probably went a long way in getting us out of here with a win."

 

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans and Jalen Cone #15 of the Virginia Tech Hokies look to the officials for the call after colliding during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)

 

Michigan State (3-2) trailed 32-28 at halftime after preseason All-American Cassius Winston was limited to eight minutes due to two fouls.

Winston helped sparked a late run, but the Spartans couldn't finish it off. Aaron Henry led Michigan State with 18 points and Winston was held to seven on 2-of-8 shooting.

Michigan State has had a rough start to the season. The preseason AP No. 1, the Spartans lost starting guard Joshua Langford to a foot injury before the first game, and a week later, Winston's brother, Zachary, was hit and killed by a train.

 

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans hugs Cassius Winston #5 during the second half against the Binghamton Bearcats at Breslin Center on November 10, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

 

"He was a shell of himself today," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said of Winston. "I think it's been a lot on him. I couldn't have gone through what that kid has gone through, no way. He just looked tired the whole time, I think because of the mental stress he's going through."

Michigan State lost its opening game to No. 9 Kentucky, but bounced back with three straight wins, including a hard-fought victory at No. 13 Seton Hall.

Virginia Tech started the season 5-0 for the second straight season — a first since 1981-82 — but has a revamped roster under Young, who took over after Buzz Williams left for Texas A&M.

 

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: The Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate the win over the Michigan State Spartans as time runs out during their first round game at the 2019 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)

 

The new-look Hokies made a school-record 21 3-pointers against Delaware State in their previous game but had to play a more grinding style against the gritty Spartans.

Taking advantage of Winston's foul trouble, Virginia Tech pressured the Spartans into numerous mistakes, scoring 12 points off 11 turnovers before halftime.

"It's difficult to sit that long," Winston said. "I've got to be smarter than that, make better decisions for my team."

BIG PICTURE

Virginia Tech picked up the kind of determined, resume-building win that could look awfully good when Selection Sunday comes around.

Winston was not able to conjure up any magic and the Spartans clearly have some flaws to work out until Langford returns in January at the earliest.

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech plays Dayton in Tuesday's semifinals.

Michigan State faces Georgia.

 

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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