Hokie ClubDAYTON, Ohio – Virginia Tech fell on the road to Dayton, 62-57, on Sunday afternoon. The loss marked Tech's first true road loss of the season.
After falling behind by as many as 18 in the second half, the Hokies put together a 12-1 run to keep the game close in the final minutes.
Virginia Tech struggled from the field against the Flyers, shooting .382, including a season-low .273 from beyond the arc.
Hunter Cattoor and Keve Aluma led the Hokies in scoring with 14 points apiece. Cattoor's tally was his second-highest of the season (19 vs. Navy), while Aluma reached the double-digit mark in scoring for the sixth game in a row.
Justyn Mutts hauled in 10 rebounds on Sunday, more than any other player on the floor, and reached double digits in rebounds for the third time this season.
How It Happened
The game started in somewhat bizarre fashion, as neither team registered a point before the first media timeout. Storm Murphy cracked the code at the 15:31 mark, but Dayton quickly caught on and raced out to a 10-2 lead. The two sides exchanged blows throughout the half with Dayton gaining a lead as large as 12, but Tech went into the break trailing 29-22.
Dayton kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 47-29 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Sean Pedulla's three, to shrink the deficit to 47-38 with 10:27 to go in the contest. The Hokies kept their comeback going, but Dayton managed to hold on for the 62-57 win.
Game Notes
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 15 turnovers for the sixth time this season.
» Keve Aluma and Hunter Cattoor led the Hokies with 14 points apiece.
» Virginia Tech got a game-high 10 rebounds from Justyn Mutts.
» Tech's 13 turnovers were the second most of the season.Gallery: (12-12-2021) MBB: Dayton Game