Virginia Tech Upsets No. 20 Clemson
In a significant upset, Virginia Tech overcame No. 20 Clemson with a score of 76-66, disrupting Clemson’s chance to share the top spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference with No. 4 Duke. Jailen Bedford was instrumental in the Hokies’ success, contributing 23 points, while teammate Ben Hammond ignited in the second half, scoring 17 of his 19 points after the break. This victory not only ended Virginia Tech’s two-game losing streak but also marked their first win at Clemson since the 2019-2020 season under coach Mike Young.
Game Highlights
The Tigers, now with a record of 20-5 and 10-2 in the ACC, had recently reached a tie for first place following Duke’s dramatic loss to North Carolina the previous Saturday. However, Virginia Tech’s offensive strategy proved effective in this matchup, as they staged an impressive 11-5 run before halftime, closing the half with a 40-33 lead fueled by Bedford’s scoring. The Hokies displayed a strong shooting performance, finishing the game with a 52% shooting rate, including 11 out of 21 from beyond the arc.
Second Half Dynamics
Clemson made a brief attempt at a comeback early in the second half, narrowing the gap to 40-38, but Virginia Tech swiftly increased their lead, with Hammond hitting crucial three-pointers to stretch the advantage to 12 points. Despite Clemson’s Carter Welling converting a three-point play that closed the deficit to 69-64 late in the game, Bedford’s timely fourth three-pointer helped secure the Hokies’ victory, blocking any further Clemson rally.
Player Performances
Welling was a standout performer for Clemson, leading the team with 19 points and six rebounds. In contrast, RJ Godfrey, who averaged nearly 12 points per game, struggled to make an impact, managing only six points throughout the contest.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Virginia Tech will face Florida State next, while Clemson will be challenged at Duke on Saturday.
