Virginia Tech Triumphs Over Notre Dame
In a decisive clash in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Virginia Tech Hokies secured an impressive 89-76 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, marking their ninth triumph in the last ten encounters against this opponent.
Key Performers
Tobi Lawal emerged as a pivotal player, contributing a season-best 22 points off the bench, while Amani Hansberry followed closely with 21 points. Their impactful performance was particularly notable as they collectively scored 15 of the team’s 18 points during a key stretch early in the second half, propelling the Hokies to a commanding 66-48 lead with just over 12 minutes left in the game.
“Despite Notre Dame narrowing the gap to 79-66 with four minutes remaining, Virginia Tech responded swiftly; Ben Hammond hit a crucial three-pointer which, combined with a layup by Hansberry, pushed the lead to 84-67 with three minutes on the clock.”
Hammond finished the game with 16 points, while Jailen Bedford added 14, contributing to a strong showing from the Hokies (14-5, 3-3 ACC). Notably, Lawal also achieved his fourth double-double of the season, pulling down 11 rebounds after returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him throughout December.
Free-Throw Success
Virginia Tech showcased impressive free-throw accuracy, making their first 24 attempts before Lawal missed one of his two tries late in the game. They concluded the contest hitting 28 out of 32 from the line, with Lawal himself converting 14 of 18 shots.
Notre Dame’s Efforts
On the other side, Brady Koehler turned in a standout performance for Notre Dame (10-8, 1-4 ACC), scoring a career-high 17 points and connecting on 5 of 7 three-point attempts off the bench. Cole Certa also made significant contributions with 14 points, while starting forward Sir Mohammed was the sole starter to score in double digits with 12 points. The bench for Notre Dame was particularly effective, racking up a total of 41 points, but the team has now faced four consecutive losses.
Game Overview
Virginia Tech only trailed once at the beginning of the game, maintaining control and leading 45-34 at halftime. Previous matches had been tightly contested for the Hokies, with their last six games often decided by narrow margins or heading into overtime.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech will face Syracuse on Wednesday while Notre Dame prepares to go on the road to play North Carolina the same day.
