The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets arrived in Blacksburg Tuesday night needing an impressive win. They started out fast, too, as guard Kam Craft drilled three consecutive 3-pointers to quickly put the Yellow Jackets up 9-0. However, the Hokies responded, eventually taking control and winning 71-65.
After the Jackets’ hot start, the Hokies went on their own run to take a 15-10 lead. GT would then respond with another run to go back ahead, 24-20. Finally, the Hokies took control before halftime, taking a 36-30 lead into the break. A pair of freshmen, center Christian Gurdak and guard Neoklis Avdalas, each scored eight in the first half, to go along with Ben Hammond’s 10 points.
Tech came out of the break and kept the pressure on the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech struggled throughout the night, despite a rough shooting night for the Hokies. Virginia Tech shot only 34% from the field, including eight of 29 from 3-point range.
This game never seemed in danger — until there were around three minutes remaining. The Hokies held a 65-50 lead with 4:16 remaining. Despite a terrible night shooting the basketball, Virginia Tech appeared to have this one locked up. Then, in about a two-minute stretch, Tobi Lawal picked up three quick fouls, fouling out for the Hokies.
The Yellow Jackets would score 11 unanswered points to make it a 65-61 game. Here we go again. Avdalas would make one of two free throws, and GT responded with an unchallenged layup to make it a one-score game. On the other end, Jailen Bedford makes one of two free throws, keeping the Jackets in the game. Virginia Tech then allowed another easy layup, making it 68-65. Fortunately for the Hokies, it would be Hammond who went to the line next, and he made both free throws. Georgia Tech missed a 3-point attempt, and Bedford knocked two more free throws down to end the game.
This game should not have come down to the wire. Get this, the Hokies did not make one basket from the floor in the final six minutes and 58 seconds. That’s right, Virginia Tech’s final 14 points came from the free-throw line.
How bad were the Hokies overall? Amani Hansberry finished with only five points and eight rebounds. He was 1 of 5 from the field. Lawal scored 10 points on 2 of 7 shooting, while Jaden Schutt went scoreless, missing all five shots. Avdalas had another rough night, shooting 3 of 15 from the field, finishing with nine points.
Hammond was Virginia Tech’s star again, scoring 20 for the Hokies. Bedford contributed 14 points, while Gurdak had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Virginia Tech is now 16-6 on the season, including 5-4 in ACC play. Next up is a huge game in Blacksburg on Saturday against No. 4 Duke.
