Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Jaden Schutt had a career-high 18 points and Tobi Lawal scored 17 to help Virginia Tech escape with a 75-74 victory over Virginia on Saturday inside John Paul Jones Arena.
It was the Hokies' (10-12, 5-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) first win in Charlottesville since 2018 and their first back-to-back win streak in the series since 2010. With the win, VT moves within 5.5-2.5 in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash.
Tech hit 5 of 6 free throws and Lawal and Schutt followed with baskets to cap a 9-0 run that gave the Hokies a 69-56 lead with 6:32 remaining. Virginia chipped away until Andrew Rohde scored in the paint with 45 seconds left to cut the Cavaliers' deficit to 75-72.
Taine Murray grabbed an errant shot by Lawal with eight seconds left and the Hokies fouled Isaac McKneely before he could fire off a 3-pointer. McKneely made both foul shots and the Cavaliers fouled Mylyjael Poteat, who missed twice. Virginia had a chance to win coming out of a timeout with four seconds left, but Rohde’s floater rolled off the rim at the buzzer.
Schutt made 6 of 11 shots with four 3-pointers for the Hokies. He added five rebounds. Lawal made 6 of 12 shots with a 3-pointer and also had five boards.
McKneely finished with 19 points and seven assists to pace the Cavaliers (10-12, 3-8). Rohde had 12 points, Dai Dai Ames scored 11 and Murray added 10 points and six rebounds.
Schutt hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 in the first half to help Virginia Tech take a 38-31 lead into intermission. McKneely had nine points to lead Virginia.
Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum to host SMU on Wednesday at 9 p.m.