Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech men’s basketball hung on in a nail-biting, triple-overtime contest against 21st-ranked Virginia, winning 95-85 in Tech’s ACC opener Saturday afternoon.
The Hokies, (12-2, 1-0 ACC) were led by Ben Hammond’s incredible second half and overtime efforts. The nimble guard exploded for a 30-point outing, a career-high, along with five assists, four boards, two steals, and a block. Hammond’s steals and single rejection all came in overtime, giving Tech the energy they needed to push past UVA.
Throughout the game, the Cavaliers, (11-2, 0-1) seemed to have an answer for the Hokies’ offense, and always came back with a score of their own after a Virginia Tech basket. UVA’s main contributor, Malik Thomas, ended the game with a total of 26 points, and Virginia center Thijs De Ridder had a 22-point day and stretched the floor with three triples.
Rebounds were an emphasis for Tech, and their frontcourt delivered. In his second start for Virginia Tech, Christian Gurdak grabbed a career-high 19 missed shots, and Amani Hansberry brought in 15. Gurdak and Hansberry also recorded double-doubles, each scoring 17.
The lead was never safe, changing 21 times throughout, and when it seemed Virginia Tech would leave the second overtime with a two-point lead, UVA’s Chance Mallory tipped in a missed jumpshot with 0.4 seconds left, forcing a third.
In the final overtime, the Hokies were able to pull away, after Hammond’s block and tip-in on the ensuing fastbreak to put Virginia Tech ahead 92-85 with forty seconds left, and iced the game with free throws.
The win gives the Hokies a half point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 5.5.-1.0 in favor of Virginia. For more information, visit hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.
GAME NOTES
•The starters for Virginia Tech were Ben Hammond, Neoklis Avdalas, Jaden Schutt, Amani Hansberry, and Christian Gurdak. This is the seventh different starting lineup for Tech this season.
• Avdalas and Schutt recorded 17 and nine points, respectively, each converting key three-pointers to keep VT's momentum going.
• Hammond drew nine fouls on UVA's aggressive defense and sank 16 of his 18 free throw attempts, many of which came in crunch time.
• The Hokie defense hounded the Cavaliers and forced 17 turnovers to Virginia Tech's 14.
UP NEXT
Tech will head on the road to face Wake Forest on Saturday, January 3 for a noon tip against the Demon Deacons. That game can be seen on ACCN.