Hokies Move to Double-Digit Wins After Handling Maryland Eastern Shore 82-53

In its penultimate non-conference matchup of its 2025-2026 campaign, Virginia Tech took care of business against the Hawks via double-digit performances from five Hokies.

“Granted a lot of the game is physical, a lot of it’s also played between your ears, so if you can master that, it gives you a huge advantage,” said Hokies player Christian Gurdak, who dropped 13 points off the bench against Maryland Eastern Shore. “Look at all the guys in the NBA right now who maybe aren’t the most gifted physically, but they’re dominating because they have mental focus. So, I think that’s a huge part of the game that’s underrated that I think a lot of players take for granted."

By this point last year, the Hokies were sitting at a 5-7 record due in part to a six-game losing streak. Needless to say, the Blacksburg group has turned that around, as it currently sits at 10-2 with one non-conference game left to play.

Sunday’s contest started off rather slow for the Hokies, as they generally led by only one score throughout the first 10 minutes of the game.​ For the most part, the two teams traded off scores throughout the first half.

However, the Hokies started to pull away in the final four minutes of the half. The squad was able to pull out to a 36-29 lead with 1:10 left to play in the period. After a Tyler Johnson layup, the score was extended to 38-29 heading into halftime.

Johnson and Ben Hammond led the scoring for the Hokies in the first half, as each player posted seven points during the 20-minute frame. Jaden Schutt, who was starting in place of Jailen Bedford – who had an upper-respiratory issue, followed suit with six points off two three-pointers.

The Hokies came out much stronger after halftime, as they were able to hold down a 56-43 lead 10 minutes into the second half. The maroon & orange kept it rolling over the next three minutes, as Amani Hansberry’s second three-pointer of the contest at that point capped off a nine-unanswered-point run to give Tech a 22-point lead.

Tech cruised to the 82-53 victory via double-digit-point outings from Hansberry, Neoklis Avdalas, Johnson, Hammond, and Christian Gurdak – who filled in for starter Antonio Dorn early in the contest. The handful of players recorded 63 of Tech’s points in the contest.

Tech also got some new faces involved Sunday, as Izaiah Pasha got increased minutes and points off the bench, and Sin’Cere Jones recorded his first career points in a Hokies uniform.

“I was a little frustrated when I missed my first two shots, because I’m constantly getting those shots all the time,” Pasha said. “I was too excited on the first two, because it was my first time getting the opportunity to play, but once I finally got it again in the corner, and I realized I could take my time, I knew it was going in.”

The Hokies will look to wrap up non-conference play at 11-2 as it takes on Elon on Saturday, Dec. 20. As its ACC opponents loom closer, the squad’s mentality remains focused on day-to-day improvement and preparation.

"Every game leading up to ACC play is very important, and even though we’re out here up 30 points, it’s not about them; it’s about us,” Pasha said. “The ACC is a monster, so we gotta be a great team every minute, be prepared, and get better in practice.”