Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech men's basketball team earned a Quad 1 victory late Wedneday night by holding off Syracuse 76-74. WIth the win, Tech moves to 15-5 (4-3) and has won consecutive ACC games for the first time this season.
After a back-and-forth first few minutes Syracuse used a 8-0 run to take a 23-13 lead nine minutes into the game. After a timeout, Tech got back into it in part from the team's first 3-pointer of the evening from Jailen Bedford (10:30) after a Tobi Lawal jumper to give the team a quick spark. Tech withstood the Orange's hot start as the home squad made 7-12 from beyond the arc to take a seven-point lead into the half.
After the break Tech found a rhythm, and also got stops, holding Syracuse to 41% and just 27% from beyond the arc.
The Hokies used a 7-0 run to tie the game at 45 with 11:54 to play thanks to a corner three from Jaden Schutt in transition and would take the lead shortly thereafter with a Hammond free throw.
Tech pushed their advantage to as much as nine in the second half, taking advantage of their free throw opportunities as they took 33 in the second frame. Hammond (24) and Lawal (16) combined to go 22-27 from the stripe in the game and were joined in double figures by Neo Avdalas (10) and Amani Hansberry (10).
The Orange pulled within two points before Tech stretched the lead again in the final seconds to earn the win. At the buzzer Naithan George hit a trey, bringing the final score to 76-74.
GAME NOTES
•The starters for Virginia Tech were Neoklis Avdalas, Ben Hammond, Jailen Bedford, Amani Hansberry, and Christian Gurdak for the third consecutive game. It is the eighth different starting combination that Mike Young has used this season.
•Hammond's six steals in the game tie the program record for steals in an ACC game. It was the most steals since Justyn Mutts had six vs. Oklahoma State in 2022.
•The game was the Hokies' eighth decided by one possession this season. They are 5-3 in those contests.
UP NEXT
The Hokies will travel to No. 23 Louisville on Saturday, Jan. 24 for a 3:30 p.m. tip on The CW. Tech is 4-1 in their last five games against the Cardinals and won the last game at the KFC Yum Center in 2024, 80-64.