BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech received balanced scoring yet again Tuesday night, led by Hunter Cattoor's 17 points to push past Boston College, 76-71, inside Cassell Coliseum.
In addition to Cattoor, the Hokies (12-7, 4-4) produced three other double-digit scorers in Sean Pedulla (16), MJ Collins (11) and Lynn Kidd (10). Robbie Beran, who made a pair of ice-in-your-veins free throws with 22 seconds showing on the clock, finished with nine points. Mylyjael Poteat added eight.
Pedulla scored seven straight points for Tech down the stretch, including one of his signature, game-on-the-line threes with four minutes left in regulation. The Eagles (11-8, 2-6) made it a one-possession game three times in the closing minutes, however, VT was a perfect 16 for 16 from the foul line to move to 9-1 at home this season.
BC's Devin McGlockton led all scorers with 19 points, making an efficient 9 of 13 baskets for the Eagles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Kidd opened the scoring with an alley-oop dunk from Pedulla one minute in. Back-to-back jump shots from Collins and Beran tied the game at 7-7.
- Pedulla's layup put Tech up nine with five minutes remaining in the half. A Poteat jam extended the lead to double digits at 11 and forced a timeout. Another Pedulla layup put the Hokies on an 8-0 run.
- Tech was a blistering 17 of 28 in the opening stanza to build a 44-33 advantage.
- Collins opened the second half scoring with an emphatic jam. Beran's short jump shot broke a 13-4 Boston College run. Pedulla followed with a 3-pointer, pushing the Tech lead back to seven at 55-48.
- Another Nickel jump shot brought the Hokies lead back to seven with 13 minutes remaining. Cattoor followed with a dunk. Kidd's two free throws extended the Hokie advantage back to eight.
- With around four minutes left, Pedulla reeled off seven straight points to make the lead five (72-67) with 2:02 remaining. Beran's two free throws with 22 seconds remaining made it a two-possession game at 74-70.
- Cattoor's two free throws with 17 seconds remaining put the game out of reach. The Hokies' won 76-71.
NOTES
- Tonight marks the first win against Boston College in the Mike Young era (since Jan. 5, 2019).
- Tech is now 9-9 all time against the Eagles in Blacksburg.
- Tech shot a perfect 16-16 from the free throw line. It was the first time the Hokies went perfect from the charity stripe since a 12-12 performance on Nov. 13, 2022 against William & Mary.
- Tech had at least four scorers in double figures for the second game in a row.
- The Hokies led for 35:34. The Eagles led for 1:53.
- Virginia Tech did not make a field goal for the last 3:25 of the game, but was able to knock down each free throw to retain the lead.
- Pedulla led the team in rebounds with six.
- Hunter Cattoor set the record for games played at Virginia Tech tonight (137), in addition to leading the team in scoring for the second straight game.
QUOTES FROM MIKE YOUNG
- "[Even without three rotation players] we just had to find a way and we did that. I like Boston College, I've seen them beat a very good St. John's team in the Barclays Center back in December. They also did everything but win against NC State and Wake Forest. That's a good win and we have to prepare for Georgia Tech, Saturday."
- "The ball moved, we were playing the right way, and we were able to move the ball to both sides of the court. Our kids were able to execute properly, and they moved the ball with good pace, something very important with how we play."
UP NEXT
- Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum for their second of a three-game homestand Saturday at 5 p.m. against Georgia Tech. The Hokies will also be celebrating their #LOVE initiative during the game as we approach Black History Month.
Gallery: (1-24-2024) MBB: Boston College Game