Stanford defeats Virginia Tech 68-69

Stanford Upsets Virginia Tech in Thrilling Comeback Victory

In a nail-biting conference matchup, the Stanford Cardinal (AWAY) edged out the Virginia Tech Hokies (HOME) 69-68 at Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday night. The visitors' dramatic comeback from a seven-point deficit at halftime capped off an instant classic.

At the break, the Hokies led 31-24, capping off a strong first half of play that saw them outscore Virginia Tech in both scoring and rebounding, 37-45. However, Stanford began to chip away in the second half, gradually closing the gap until they were only down by two points with about five minutes remaining.

In the final frame, Ebuka Okorie led a spirited comeback for Stanford, netting ten of his game-high thirty-one points in the fourth quarter alone. His impressive shooting percentage (61.1%) and rebounding contributions played pivotal roles in the Cardinal's victory.

Neoklis Avdalas paced Virginia Tech with 21 points, while Amani Hansberry added eleven rebounds and eleven points of her own for the Hokies. Though Neoklis' three-point shooting was less than ideal at 1-5 from beyond the arc (46.7% FG), he still managed to rack up valuable assists and contribute in other facets.

Stanford's offense outperformed Virginia Tech's in terms of field goals made, hitting 26 shots out of 58 attempts (45.0%) compared to the Hokies' 21 successful field goal attempts from 53 shots (40.0%). The Cardinal also scored significantly more points off turnovers with eleven points versus Virginia Tech's six.

The final score of 69-68 underscores the intensity and competitiveness of this matchup, as both teams gave their all in pursuit of victory. In a game that saw several shifts in momentum throughout, Stanford emerged victorious, ending Virginia Tech's winning streak.

As the season progresses, wins like this one are crucial for any team looking to secure a spot among the elite programs in the conference.