BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech fired on all cylinders on Wednesday night in one of its best outings of the still young season, as the Hokies picked up a 28-point win over Dayton.
Stay Connected with Tech Men's Basketball
STIFLING DEFENSE
- While the Virginia Tech's offense typically steals the headlines, its defense stole the show against Dayton.
- Tech held its opponent under 50 points (49) for the first time this season. The last instance of this came against Louisville (43) on March 1, 2022.
- Dayton shot 30-percent from the floor, which is the lowest percentage of a Tech opponent since Radford shot 28-percent on Nov. 15, 2021.
- Virginia Tech limited the Flyers to shooting 20-percent from deep after then-No. 18 North Carolina shot 17.6-percent from beyond the arc in Tech's last game. Both of the Hokies' last two opponents have made three 3-pointers apiece, which is the lowest two-game total by Tech's competition since Navy and Radford combined for five on Nov. 12 and Nov. 15 of last season.
BASILE'S BREAKOUT HALF
- Grant Basile impressed throughout the night, as he picked up his second double-double of the season with 23 points and 10 boards.
- The Wright State transfer had his second 20-plus point scoring half of the season when he put up 20 points in the first half. Against Delaware State on Nov. 7, Basile dropped 23 in the first half.
- Behind Basile, who nearly outscored Dayton's team in the first half (21 points), Tech closed the half on an 18-3 run.
EXTRA NOTES
- Hunter Cattoor continued to show his athleticism on Wednesday night, rattling the rim for a second consecutive game with a SportsCenter-worthy dunk.
- Sean Pedulla hit double-digit scoring for the tenth time in as many games this season. However, in a less glamorous light, Pedulla became the first Tech player to foul out this season.
- Mike Young coached his 100th career game for the Hokies and earned his 63rd win for Tech. Of the 13 coaches to reach 100 games with Virginia Tech, Young ranks fifth in wins through that span.