Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech used a trio of late Darius Maddox 3-pointers to narrow its deficit to as close as two, but NC State ultimately prevailed on Saturday night inside Cassell Coliseum, 73-69.
The Hokies had three players score in double figures, led by Sean Pedulla, who had 19 points and four assists. Darius Maddox added 16 points and Lynn Kidd chipped in as well with 14 points from the bench.
Tech had a slow start in the first half and went into the break trailing by 16 points - its largest deficit at halftime this season. In the second half, the Hokies found more success scoring and shot 51.7-percent from the field in the second half.
The Hokies mustered a late rally in the final minute, outscoring the Wolfpack, 13-4, in the last 55 seconds. Maddox knocked down three shots from beyond the arc that gave Tech life, but NC State was able to hit its free throws to lock up the win.
How It Happened
NC State jumped out of the gate with a 13-2 lead that put Virginia Tech in a hole early. Behind a career high 12 points in the first half from Lynn Kidd, the Hokies were able to reel the game in slightly. However, a tough shooting performance sent Tech into the halftime break with a 16-point deficit.
Virginia Tech narrowed the Wolfpack's lead t to 65-54 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Maddox's three, to shrink the deficit to 65-62 with 47 seconds to go in the contest. Pedulla got to the rim with a layup in between a pair of 3-pointers from Maddox, but NC State closed the game shooting 8-10 from the charity stripe to clinch the victory.
Game Notes
» Sean Pedulla led the Hokies with 19 points.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high eight rebounds from Justyn Mutts.
» Lynn Kidd had a career-high 14 points.
» Darius Maddox scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 1:03 of the game.Gallery: (1-7-2023) MBB: NC State Game