CLEMSON, SC – Virginia Tech was moments away from snapping a forgettable skid in ACC play, but Clemson’s Hunter Tyson nailed a 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds remaining to give the Tigers a 51-50 win.
In a second half that was anything but a scoring clinic for the Hokies, they found themselves in control down the stretch. However, Clemson drew up an in-bounds play that gave Tyson a good look for three that he hit late. The Hokies had 10 seconds to answer – hoping to bring back the magic they found in the ACC Tournament last March. Unfortunately for Tech, Hunter Cattoor’s shot from deep failed to connect.
The Hokies had two players score in double figures, led by Grant Basilewho had 13 points and eight rebounds. Lynn Kidd added 10 points from the bench and Sean Pedulla added seven points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Virginia Tech forced 17 Clemson turnovers, while committing 14 themselves in Saturday’s game. The Hokies turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Pedulla’s four steals led the way for Virginia Tech.
How It Happened
The Hokies struggled early to make shots fall, specifically starting 0-4 from beyond the arc. Despite its struggles, Tech never allowed Clemson’s lead to exceed six points. Four different Hokies were able to hit shots from deep by the end of the first half. In the final 7:57 of the first half, the Tigers went 0-8 from the field while the Hokies snuck in an 8-0 run to grab the lead going into the break.
Tech spent most of the second half trying to get good looks to fall and opened the period a lackluster 2-18 from the field. Clemson proceeded to take a 44-39 lead before Virginia Tech went on an 8-0 run, finished off by Hunter Cattoor’s three, to seize a 47-44 lead with 2:47 to go in the contest. Clemson re-asserted control, outscoring the Hokies 7-3 the rest of the way to hand Virginia Tech the 51-50 loss.
Game Notes
» The Hokies held the Tigers to shooting only 16.7-percent from deep.
» Tech’s 19 points in the second half were the least since scoring 11 in the first half against Virginia on Feb. 26, 2020.
» The Virginia Tech bench came alive by adding 16 points to its scoring output.
» Sean Pedulla had a career high four steals.
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Grant Basile led the Hokies with 13 points and eight rebounds.