Hokies Equalize In-Conference Record with 89-76 Win Against Notre Dame

After three brutal, last-second intraconference losses over its past four games, Virginia Tech moved to 3-3 in ACC play with the win over the Irish.

“You’re doggone right I’m gonna hammer a double-digit lead home,” said Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young. “We were focused on playing winning basketball, rebounding, taking away the arc – which we did. If they make 10 three-pointers a game, then they win; when they make six threes a game, then they lose, and we limited them to six threes.

With three of its past four games resulting in losses by three points or less, Tech has, needless to say, been on the wrong side of fate through the first chunk of ACC play.

Saturday’s matchup against Notre Dame was a chance to salvage a win where Tech could get it. With the Irish sitting at 10-7 heading into Blacksburg, the Hokies had their sights on securing the win against a very beatable team.

“We made some mistakes today that were and were not a part of the reason we lost these past few games,” Lawal said. “That can’t happen; we play at such a high level that we can’t do that. There’s simple communication errors. You can’t make mistakes like that, and we have to be more disciplined as a team.”

The Hokies looked strong to start Saturday’s game, as they appeared to move the ball well down the court and took their time in trying to get open looks. This style of play in the first half was a pleasant surprise given the team’s recent tendency to try to hit a three-pointer at the first chance possible.

The Hokies jumped out to a 18-11 lead within the first eight minutes of the game, and would maintain that lead throughout the first half. The maroon & orange’s biggest lead of the half came at 2:52 remaining when the Hokies led 39-25 after a Tobi Lawal dunk from under the rim. Tech managed to hold its lead until halftime, as the score was 45-34 heading into the break.

A trio of Hokies led the scoring for the Blacksburg squad in the first half. Ben Hammond had the most points in the half with 11 points, and Lawal and Amani Hansberry each tallied 10 points.

The Hokies continued to keep their commanding lead throughout the second half, as they led 70-53 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Despite some lackluster play down the stretch in the second half, the Hokies kept a double digit lead throughout the half. Tech would get the 89-76 win after keeping its foot on the gas to close out the match.

“We let up at times; we can’t do that,” said Hokies guard Jailen Bedford. “If we’re up by 20, we need to go up by 30. We can’t calm down and get complacent.”

Lawal led the Hokies with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and he went 14-18 from the line. Though he made his first 10 free throws, he did note postgame that all he could really think about was his four misses.

It is safe to say the Hokies took the SMU loss to heart. They showed noticeable improvement in free-throw shooting, as they went 28-32 from the line against the Irish. 

Following close behind Lawal was Hansberry, who posted 21 points after going 6-9 on field goals and 9-9 on free throws.

Ben Hammond had a bit of a slower second half Saturday compared to the first half, as he totaled 16 points for the afternoon. Regardless, he looked solid from beyond the arc, for nine of his points came from three-pointers.

Bedford rounded out the double-digit scoring totals for the Hokies as he totaled 14 points, six of which were off two made three-pointers. Bedford’s double-digit outing Saturday was his fourth in Tech’s last five games.

“I’ve just been trying to stay consistent,” Bedford said. “After I came back from Christmas break, I found a little groove. The team believes in me; they get me to my spots and allow me to take those shots and make them.”

What the Hokies needed Saturday was a definitive and comfortable win against an ACC opponent, and the Blacksburg squad got just that. 

Tech will head on the road to take on the Syracuse Orange in a pivotal, momentum-swinging matchup. If the Hokies lose to the Orange, demoralization could hit the Blacksburg squad like a train as Tech faces into a tough stretch of games against Louisville and Duke.

If the Hokies win, however, they will get some much-needed juice heading into the final few January contests and stay alive as a NCAA Tournament contender.

“I’ve never gone into it, in 24 years of coaching, about beating the fire out of someone by about 15,” Young said. “I’d love to, but it doesn’t work like that. Teams are too good and too well coached. I’d love to do that Wednesday at Syracuse but, guess what, that ain't gonna happen.”