Bedford’s 23-Piece Catapults Hokies to Massive 76-66 Upset in Clemson
Virginia Tech catalyzed its NCAA Tournament bid after picking up the critical, marquee win against the Tigers Wednesday night.
ACC play for the Hokies has been a struggle in 2026. Prior to Wednesday night’s contest, the Hokies sat at 5-6 in intraconference play – coming as a result of Tech winning only one of its past four games. While those losses were not against the easiest opponents – including ranked Louisville and Duke teams and a tournament probable NC State Wolfpack – the piled-up defeats have caused a sharp decline in the Blacksburg squad’s March Madness hopes.
With another big-time matchup on the road against the 20-4 Tigers, the Hokies entered Wednesday night’s contest against Clemson looking to climb back out of its intraconference hole. With a win against the No. 20 ranked team in the country, Tech would have the opportunity to get much-needed juice as they head into the final stretch of the 2025-2026 regular season.
Though Clemson has not necessarily been the flashiest team in college basketball during the 2025-2026 season, the South Carolina team’s record illustrates the team’s ability to play good basketball and win games – something no sports fan will take for granted.
Wednesday’s contest started off neck-and-neck, as the two teams traded off scores throughout much of the first half. However, a big time run from Jailen Bedford propelled the Hokies into halftime after he scored eight of the team’s final 11 points before the break. What’s more, an Amani Hansberry deep-ball buzzer-beater would send Tech into halftime with a 40-33 lead.
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Bedford was hands down Tech’s best player of the first half as he totaled 16 points via trios of three-pointers and layups and a shot from the line.
However, the question on every Hokie fan’s mind was whether the maroon & orange would be able to hold their lead in the latter half of the contest.
Clemson got itself off to a hot start to start the second half. After the Tigers drew within two points less than two minutes into the half. The contest was shaping out to be yet another blown lead by the Hokies and another devastating loss added to sub-.500 intraconference record looming over the team’s head.
Nonetheless, Tech persisted.
The Hokies were able to draw their lead back out to double-digits and, for the most part, were able to maintain that lead until the final buzzer sounded. The 76-66 final score in favor of the Hokies handed Clemson just its second loss in its last 15 games and dropped the Tigers to 10-2 in conference play.
Needless to say, Bedford ended the night as the Hokies top scorer. His 23-point showing came after going 8-14 on field goals on the night – including four made three-pointers on five attempts. The hot-handed guard continued his stellar conference play, as his outing Wednesday night was good for his eighth double-digit outing – and fourth outing with more than 20 points – in ACC play for the 2025-2026 season.
Not to be overshadowed, Ben Hammond trailed close behind Bedford; the returner Hokie posted 19 points on the night after going 5-11 on field goals and 3-6 from beyond the arc.
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Tobi Lawal’s 12-point showing finished off the double-digit scoring for the Hokies Wednesday night. Lawal continued to lead Tech’s frontcourt efforts, as his nine rebounds against the Tigers was the team-high on the night.
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Tech will return to Cassell Coliseum Saturday for another key matchup against Florida State. The Hokies will likely be favored in the contest, so a win against the Seminoles will likely prove vital toward Tech's late-season push.
The Hokies played some of their best basketball against Clemson, and their double-digit win serves as a pivotal point in the team’s efforts toward the NCAA tournament. With the win not only pushing Tech up closer to the last four bubble teams in, the victory serves as reassurance that the Blacksburg squad can compete with some of the best in college basketball.
Whether the Hokies can keep their success rolling, however, is yet to be seen.
Men's Basketball Beat Reporter
Having grown up in Northern Virginia, my love for sports first started with watching games at Nationals park. However, my fandom proudly extends to the West Coast as well.
