Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Freshman Neoklis Avdalas scored 33 points and four other Hokies scored in double figures Saturday as the Virginia Tech men's basketball team picked up a thrilling 107-101 victory in overtime against the Providence Friars. The win marks a 2-0 start to the season for Tech who returns home for a pair of games next week.
Avadalas scored early and often, scoring 17 in the opening frame of the game, initially giving the Hokies the lead until Providence found their footing. The Friars used clutch 3-point shooting and defensive pressure to pull ahead by a pair of scores at the break.
But Tech dug in and only committed two turnovers in the final 25 minutes of action. Multiple athletes made meaningful contributions as five athletes recorded 10 or more points.
The Friars were bouyed by Jason Edwards (28 points) and Jaylin Seller (26 points) who accounted for more than half of the offense. Guard Stefan Vaaks, who saw a potential game winner spin out in regulartion had 17 and four triples.
In the extra session the Hokies scored on each of their first four possessions to take a lead they would not relinquish. A jumper from Avdalas and a dunk from Tobi Lawal secured the result and the Hokies salted the game away with free throws in the final seconds.
Game Notes
•Tech started Neoklis Avdalas, Jailen Bedford, Tobi Lawal, Tyler Johnson, and Amani Hansberry for the second straight game.
•Hansberry is the first player since Dennis Mimms at the start of the 2000-01 season to have consecutive double-doubles in the first two games.
Up Next
The return home on Wednesday, November 12 for a meeting with St. Joe's. That game will tip at 7 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.