Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech: Game Recap
In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Virginia Tech managed to fend off a late surge from Georgia Tech, ultimately clinching the game with a score of 71-65. Leading the charge for the Hokies was Ben Hammond, who tallied 20 points, while Jailen Bedford contributed 14 points to the victory. The game took place in Blacksburg, Virginia, where the Hokies showcased their depth, with bench player Christian Gurdak scoring 11 points and Tobi Lawal adding another 10 points before he fouled out.
Game Highlights
Despite Virginia Tech controlling the game for much of the night, including building a commanding 15-point lead, Georgia Tech mounted a strong comeback. The Yellow Jackets, who outperformed the Hokies in shooting efficiency (44% compared to Virginia Tech’s 34%), managed to keep the pressure on. They also saw significant contributions from Jaeden Mustaf, who not only scored 16 points but also secured 11 rebounds, and Baye Ndongo who added 14 points. Lamar Washington and Kam Craft chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively for the Yellow Jackets.
Final Moments
As the game progressed, Virginia Tech was ahead 65-50 with just over four minutes remaining, but Georgia Tech rallied back with an impressive 11-0 run, narrowing the difference to just four points by the time there was just a minute left on the clock. The Hokies, however, remained composed under pressure. Neoklis Avdalas converted one of two free throws to extend the lead to 66-61, and shortly thereafter, Ndongo scored a layup to trim the gap to three points.
In the final moments, Bedford made one out of two free throws to push the scoring to 67-63, but Washington answered with a layup for Georgia Tech with only 19 seconds remaining. Virginia Tech sealed the game when both Hammond and Bedford made critical free throws, ensuring the victory.
Looking Ahead
Next for the Yellow Jackets is a significant challenge as they prepare to take on the 16th-ranked North Carolina squad, while the Hokies will face off against the fourth-ranked Duke. Both teams are striving to improve their standings in the ACC as the season unfolds.
