Defensive effort leads Virginia Tech over Pitt, 79-72

old tech logoBasile eclipses 20 points again in Tech’s win

Hokiesports.com

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech capitalized on Grant Basile’s 22 points on Saturday night in a 79-72 victory over Pitt inside Cassell Coliseum.

Basile’s ninth 20-plus scoring performance of the season led the Tech team that shot 55.6% from the floor. Mylyjael Poteat, Hunter Cattoor, Justyn Mutts and Sean Pedulla joined Basile in double figures.

Poteat logged 20 minutes for the first time since the Hokies faced Clemson on Jan. 4. In that time, he notched a season-high 15 points. The junior took a beating in the post and drew a team-high six fouls, which he turned in seven points from the charity stripe.

Three Hokies converted from deep, led by Basile’s 4-8 line. Combined with Cattoor’s three and Pedulla’s two, the trio shot 9-15 from beyond the arc.

Tech had a strong outing on the defensive end, as well. Pitt shot a season-low 16.7% from deep.

After jumping out to a six-point lead less than five minutes into the game, Pitt surrendered a 13-0 lead to the Hokies that Tech wouldn’t surrender for the rest of the game.

How It Happened

After falling behind 11-5, Virginia Tech went on a 13-0 run with 14:39 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Sean Pedulla, to take an 18-11 lead. The Hokies then added four points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 41-30 advantage. Virginia Tech capitalized on six Pittsburgh turnovers in the period, turning them into 12 points on the other end of the floor.

Virginia Tech kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Basile’s three, to grow the lead to 66-54 with 7:43 to go in the contest. The Panthers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hokies still cruised the rest of the way for the 79-72 win. Virginia Tech made the most of four offensive rebounds to tack on seven second chance points out of 38 total in the period.

Game Notes

» The Hokies shot well from 3-point range, knocking down nine of 19 long range attempts.
» Virginia Tech never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Virginia Tech recorded 17 total assists in the game.
» Virginia Tech had a stellar day defensively, holding Pittsburgh to 17% from 3-point land on 18 attempts.
» Five Virginia Tech players scored 10 or more points.
» Grant Basile led the Hokies with a game-high 22 points.
» Virginia Tech got six rebounds from both Mylyjael Poteat and Justyn Mutts.

Up next for the Hokies, they host Miami on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.