Virginia Tech defeats Virginia 95-85
Virginia Tech Edges Virginia in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a game that will be remembered for its dramatic comebacks and clutch performances, No. 15 Virginia Tech (12-18) stunned No. 24 Virginia (16-13) 95-85 on New Year's Eve at Cassell Coliseum.
The Hokies trailed by just one point at halftime, but outscored the Cavaliers 35-17 in the second half to take a commanding 10-point lead with just over three minutes remaining. However, Virginia refused to go quietly into the night, and the Cavaliers managed to stay within striking distance down to the final seconds.
Ben Hammond led the charge for Virginia Tech, scoring 30 points on 43.8% shooting from the field. Christian Gurdak chipped in with 19 rebounds and 17 points off the bench, while Hammond added five assists and two steals.
For Virginia, Malik Thomas paced the team with 26 points, but struggled to find his range beyond the arc, going just 2-9 from three-point range. Thijs De Ridder provided a balanced effort, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while also dishing out five assists.
The advanced statistics paint an interesting picture of this matchup. Virginia Tech's eFG% (40.9%) was higher than Virginia's (41.6%), but the Hokies' FT Rate (50.0%) gave them a significant edge in the paint. Meanwhile, Virginia's OREB% (31.5%) helped keep them in the game despite being outrebounded 60-54.
As one of the few unranked teams in the conference, Virginia Tech's upset victory will be remembered as a statement win for the program. The Hokies' ability to weather the storm and make key plays down the stretch was the difference-maker in this thrilling contest.
In the end, it was Virginia Tech that emerged victorious, but both teams left everything on the court. As the two programs look to the second half of the season, one thing is clear: these teams are ready for whatever challenges come their way.
Final Box Score
Virginia Tech (HOME) - 95
Virginia (AWAY) - 85
Game Leaders
Virginia Tech:
- Ben Hammond: 30 points, 5 assists, 43.8% FG
- Christian Gurdak: 19 rebounds, 17 points, 1 ast
- Ben Hammond: 5 ast, 2 stl
Virginia:
- Malik Thomas: 26 points, 40.0% FG
- Thijs De Ridder: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 ast