Coral Gables, Ft. – Virginia Tech and No. 23 Miami provided spectators with another entertaining matchup on Tuesday night, with the Hurricanes using a late spark from Nigel Pack to edge the Hokies, 92-83.
Sean Pedulla And Hunter Cator He led Tech in what was considered one of the team’s better offensive outings of the season. Both members of the backcourt duo had 20 points on 6-10 shooting. Grant Basile He won his fifth straight game with double-digit points and seven or more with 17 points and seven boards. Justin Mutts He added 10 points in the second half.
Unfortunately for Tech, the explosive night on offense coincided with Miami. The Hurricanes’ 58.3-percent shooting was their second-best total of the season, while Miami’s season average of 42.1-percent from deep entered the game (35.6-percent).
With the game tied at 76, he led the Pack on a one-handed 8-0 run, including a pair of Swords 3-pointers, with 3:37 remaining. Tech brought the margin to within four points with consecutive free throws, but never regained the lead.
How did it happen?
After falling behind 6-5, Virginia Tech went on an 8-0 run with 16:56 left in the first half to take a 13-6 lead on a three from Pedula. Trailing 16-8, Miami hit a 15-2 run to take control of the game. Tech rallied and trailed just 45-44.
The two sides stayed close in the second half, but Miami built a 76-71 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 5-0 run to tie the score at 76 with 4:16 to go in the contest. The Hokies were unable to turn their rally into a victory, outscoring the Hurricanes 16-7 the rest of the way to hand Virginia Tech a 92-83 loss.
Game notes
» The Hokies have their second-best field-goal percentage (56.9%) of the season and their best 58.2% in a loss since a 93-86 loss at Kentucky on Dec. 16, 2017.
» Tech’s 14 turnovers tied for third this season.
» Hunter Cator He had his second 20-point game for the first time in his career.
» Virginia Tech earned a team-high seven ribbons Grant Basile.