Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech men's basketball team closed out its non-conference slate with a thrilling 82-81 victory over Elon Saturday afternoon on Carilion Clinic Court. Tech trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half and rallied to force overtime where Christian Gurdak's layup with 10 seconds remaining proved to be the difference.
The Hokies' record stands at 11-2 as the ACC portion of the schedule looms after a holiday break.
Elon started the game hot, connected on seven 3's in the opening 20 minutes and aggressively crashing the glass as they rebounded over half of their missed shots, leading to more offensive opportunities. At 4:27 the Phoenix led 39-20, their largest advantage in the game.
From there, the Hokies closed the half on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to single digits, with buckets from Jaden Schutt, Amani Hansberry, Gurdak and Izaiah Pasha who once again made an impact off the bench.
Tech continued to chip away at the lead in the second frame, finally breaking through with a Hansberry and-one with five and a half minutes to play. In the final few minutes, neither team could pull away and the Phoenix's shot at the end of regulation did not connect.
In overtime, Tech's defense stood tall, allowing just two Elon field goals. Gurdak, who started for the first time in his career, layed in the final basket before the Hokies forced a turnover with seconds to go. As the horn sounded Elon's Bryson Cokley missed a 3-pointer.
Hansberry recorded a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double, leading five Hokies who scored 10 or more; Gurdak (17), Hammond (15), Pasha (11) and Schutt (10).
GAME NOTES
•The starters for Virginia Tech were Ben Hammond, Jailen Bedford, Tyler Johnson, Amani Hansberry, and Christian Gurdak. It was the first time this starting five was used this season. For Gurdak, it was his first collegiate start.
•Tech's 19-point comeback victory was the largest since at least 2009.
•The Hokies are now 6-0 this season when five or more athletes score in double figures.
UP NEXT
The Hokies are back on Carilion Clinic Court on Wednesday, December 31 to take on rival Virginia in the ACC opener. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network.