Hokie ClubPITTSBURGH, Pa. – A remarkable shooting performance in the first half helped Virginia Tech bring home its third-straight ACC win against Pitt on Saturday evening. The Hokies leave Pittsburgh with a 76-71 win over the Panthers after shooting above 50% from the field and beyond the arc.
Tech's 49 first-half points were the most its scored in the first 20 minutes of a game all season. Knocking down 10 of 13 looks from deep, the Hokies set a new season high for 3-pointers in a half. Virginia Tech shot 75% in the first half from the field, a new program record for shooting percentage in a half in an ACC game. The Hokies put together a run towards the end of the half that saw them hit 13-consecutive shots.
Three Hokies reached double figures, led by Storm Murphy who had a season-high 20. Murphy's scoring was a bookend for Tech, as he opened the game with his first of three 3-pointers then closed it out with two makes from the charity stripe. Justyn Mutts had 16 points and caused havoc on the defensive end, grabbing five steals. Nahiem Alleyne had 14 points and converted a team-high four shots from beyond the arc.
Virginia Tech out-rebounded Pittsburgh 26-18 in Saturday's game, led by Mutts' five boards.
The Virginia Tech defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Pittsburgh turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 35-21 advantage, Virginia Tech went on an 11-0 run with 4:32 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Alleyne, to increase its lead to 46-21. The Hokies then added two points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 49-22 advantage. Virginia Tech relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down 10 shots to account for 30 of its 49 points.
Virginia Tech kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Mutts' layup, to grow the lead to 65-54 with 6:16 to go in the contest. The Panthers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hokies still held on for the 76-71 win. Virginia Tech shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting four shots from deep to score 12 of its 27 points.
Game Notes
» The Hokies made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 14 of 26 shots.
» Virginia Tech never trailed on the way to a 76-71 victory.
» Virginia Tech recorded 15 total assists in the game.
» Virginia Tech had a 26-18 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Storm Murphy led the Hokies with 20 points.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high five rebounds from Justyn Mutts.Gallery: (2-5-2022) MBB: at Pitt
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