BLACKSBURG – Powered by career highs in points and rebounds by Lynn Kidd, Virginia Tech (2-1) defeated Campbell (1-2), 60-44, on Wednesday night inside Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum.
Virginia Tech's defense, highlighted by 16 forced turnovers, led the hosts to victory. Accuracy from the free-throw line (12-15) and 30 points in the paint also helped the cause. Kidd led the Hokies with a career-high 24 points and recorded his second career double-double with a career-high 15 rebounds. It was the most rebounds recorded by a Hokie since Kerry Blackshear Jr. pulled down 16 against Duke in the Sweet 16 on March 29, 2019. Joining Kidd in double figures was Hunter Cattoor with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Assisted by Sean Pedulla, a Kidd basket opened up the scoring for the Hokies two minutes in. Back-to-back steals by MJ Collins led to a Kidd dunk and Collins layup. Tech was up 8-2 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.
- A Collins jump shot put the Hokies up 14-5 with a little over seven minutes gone. With two makes at the free-throw line and a short jump hook, Kidd got up to 10 points for the game. Tech was up 19-7 with nine minutes left in the half.
- Assisted by Collins, Mylyjael Poteat threw down a dunk. The Hokies were up 21-10 with three minutes left in the half. A Cattoor 3-pointer put Tech up 26-16 at halftime.
- The Hokies forced the Camels into 12 turnovers, while only coughing up one themselves. Tech also had five steals to Campbell's one at halftime.
- Kidd opened up the second half scoring with a tip-in. Pedulla followed that with a jump shot at the end of the shot clock. Tech was up 30-19 two minutes into the second half.
- A Cattoor 3-pointer gave the Hokies their largest lead of the game at 17. Another Cattoor 3-pointer put Tech up 39-20 with 15 minutes remaining.
- To break the near six-minute scoring drought by the Hokies, Pedulla made one of two from the free-throw line to put Tech up 41-30 with nine minutes left. A Cattoor 3-pointer put the Hokies up 12 and gave him 12 points for the game.
- To move the lead back up to double-digits, Robbie Beran made a free-throw line jump shot. Tech was up 48-37 with six minutes to go in the contest. Kidd's seventh basket of the game put the Hokies up 54-42 with three minutes to go.
- A Kidd dunk and Beran free throws put the Hokies up 18 with one minute remaining. Tech won 60-44.
NOTES
- With the win tonight, Virginia Tech extended its undefeated streak to 6-0 against Campbell all time. This is the first time the Hokies have matched up with the Camels in over a decade, dating back to 2011.
- Making four tonight, Cattoor is now three 3-pointers behind Malcolm Delaney for the second-most made 3-pointers in Virginia Tech history at 261.
- Tech's three second-half blocks helped keep Campbell at bay. VT connected on 12-30 (40%) shooting in the second half to hold the lead and finish strong.
- The Hokies led for 37:52. The Camels did not hold a lead.
- Lynn Kidd shot 9-12 (75%) from the field tonight, recording career highs with 24 points and 15 rebounds. This was the first time since 2019 that any Tech player has grabbed at least 15 rebounds in a game.
QUOTES
- "Defensively, we were in great spots. I thought Lynn [Kidd] and Mylyjael [Poteat] both played very good basketball for us, offering support on Dell'Orso who is a good basketball player. I think our guys were quick to the ball and did a great job with the exception of four or five possessions." – Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young
- "He [Lynn Kidd] feels good about himself because of the work he's put in. He should feel good about his game. He takes great care of his body, gets the proper amount of rest, wants to continue doing it [playing basketball], and is a serious player. He has gotten to the point in his career where the lights have come on and his play has been impressive." – Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young
- "He [Tyler Nickel] was sick [last] Friday. I didn't know anything about his illness. He wanted to play but I thought he looked a step off in practice. We'll have him back for certain on Sunday. I expect him to be full-blast on Friday. He did workout today, did some conditioning with David Jackson, had the ball in his hands, and got some shots up. He'll be available and ready to roll for Wofford on Sunday." – Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young
- Gallery: (11-15-2023) MBB: Campbell Game