Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – A dominant display by Virginia Tech saw five players reach double figures, as the Hokies (1-0) defeated Coppin State (0-1) 100-55 Monday night inside Cassell Coliseum.
As a team, Virginia Tech doubled Coppin State's points in the paint 36-18. Tech also dominated points off turnovers, scoring 30 to Coppin State's four. Sean Pedulla led the team with 15 points and recorded the first double-double of his career with a game-high 10 assists, two shy of tying the school record. Joining Pedulla in double figures were Lynn Kidd (14), Hunter Cattoor (13), Tyler Nickel (12) and Brandon Rechsteiner (12). Kidd led the team with 11 rebounds, also tallying his first career double-double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Cattoor opened up the scoring for the Hokies with two free throws a minute in. A few possessions later, Kidd threw down a lob courtesy of Pedulla. Kidd also picked up three quick rebounds.
- At the 16-minute mark, Mylyjael Poteat knocked down a short jumper and Mekhi Long drew a foul to put Tech up four. Back to back buckets from Cattoor and Nickel forced a timeout with the Hokies up 14-5.
- Two baskets in a row from Pedulla put Tech up 12. Virginia Tech's defense held Coppin State to two made field goals 10 minutes in.
- At the third media timeout, the Hokies held a 24-point lead, 38-14. Cattoor led all scorers with 10 points at the half. Coppin State had 12 turnovers at intermission.
- An MJ Collins layup and a Pedulla 3-pointer had Tech up 27 with 15 minutes to go.
- Assisted by Pedulla, Cattoor made his third 3-pointer of the night. That gave Pedulla eight assists. Poteat followed with a dunk to give the Hokies a 57-29 advantage with 13 minutes remaining.
- Rechsteiner recorded his first collegiate points with a layup and 3-pointer on consecutive possessions. He put the Hokies up 31. Jaydon Young followed with his first career points as well, a 3-pointer with around 10 minutes to go.
- John Camden scored his first points of the season with a 3-pointer. With a little over one minute to go, Rechsteiner's free throws gave Tech 100 points.
NOTES
- With the win tonight, Virginia Tech extends its opening-night win streak to eight, making this the fifth-longest streak in Tech history.
- With three against Coppin State, Hunter Cattoor is now tied with Justin Bibbs for fourth on Virginia Tech's all-time 3-pointers made list with 254.
- The Hokies improved to 5-0 all time against the Eagles.
- Shooting 51.6% from the field this evening, the Hokies improve to 35-4 in contests when shooting 50% or greater under Coach Young.
- Tech's 41.9% from three helped extend the lead, including a 50% (9-18) performance in the second half. Cutting the turnovers from eight in the first half to three in the second half also helped Tech secure the victory.
- Lynn Kidd did not miss a shot from the field tonight (6-6).
QUOTES
- "I thought we shared the ball well, with 29 assists on 32 made baskets. We were a little shaky offensively to begin the game, missing some shots we typically get down. But, like our rotation, my feelings about our team will continue to evolve hopefully in a positive way. Larry [Stewart] is doing a good job at Coppin State, but there are more boxes to check defensively as we move forward." - head coach Mike Young
- "We lost a good friend and great player in Charlie Thomas last night. Charlie was a part of the '73 [NIT] team and was back here last year for the 50th anniversary. He had great pride in Virginia Tech, my God he loved this place as we all do and he'll be missed." - head coach Mike Young
UP NEXT
- Virginia Tech will face SEC foe South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 10 in Charlotte, N.C. Tipoff is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET inside Spectrum Center and will be televised by ACC Network with Doug Sherman and Cory Alexander on the call.
Gallery: (11-6-2023) MBB: Coppin State Game