Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With Justyn Mutts in the lineup for the first time this season, Virginia Tech cruised to a 78-52 win over Lehigh on Thursday night in Cassell Coliseum.
Sean Pedulla's 20-point effort, which tied a career high, led the Hokies. Mutts helped out with a double double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and Grant Basile chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Virginia Tech out-rebounded Lehigh 36-32 in Thursday's game, paced by Mutts' 11 boards.
The Virginia Tech defense held Lehigh shooters to only 36.5-percent from the field, including 23.8-percent from three-point range. The Mountain Hawks did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only nine offensive rebounds and scored nine second chance points while Virginia Tech pulled down 31 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 24-16 advantage, Virginia Tech went on a 10-0 run with 6:48 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Lynn Kidd, to increase its lead to 34-16. The Hokies then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 43-25 advantage. Virginia Tech capitalized on eight Lehigh turnovers in the period, turning them into 11 points on the other end of the floor.
Virginia Tech kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Mj Collins' three, to grow the lead to 63-41 with 10:51 to go in the contest. The Hokies kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 78-52 win. Virginia Tech took care of business in the paint, recording 20 of its 35 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Justyn Mutts notched a double-double for the Hokies with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Thursday's performance was his 17th career double-double.
» Virginia Tech never trailed on the way to a 78-52 victory.
» Virginia Tech recorded 15 total assists in the game.
» Virginia Tech turned the ball over five times, the fewest amount of times since playing Syracuse on Feb. 12, 2022 (4).Gallery: (11-10-2022) MBB: Lehigh Game