Virginia Tech Knocks off Pitt, Wins Fourth Game in a Row

Seth Allen and the Hokies beat Pitt to record their fourth consecutive win.
Seth Allen and the Hokies beat Pitt to record their fourth consecutive win.

Virginia Tech overcame a late surge by Pitt to defeat the Panthers 65-61 in Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday night.  The Hokies won their fourth game in a row and improved to 17-13 overall and 9-8 in the ACC.  Pitt dropped to 20-9 on the season, and they also have a 9-8 record in conference play.

With Wednesday night’s win, Tech is now guaranteed at least a .500 record in the ACC.  They also clinched an overall winning record for the season for the first time since the 2010-11.  The Hokies find themselves in a 4-way tie for sixth-place in the ACC along with Pitt, Clemson and Syracuse.  How that battle plays out over the season’s final weekend will determine ACC Tournament seeding.

The Hokies didn’t start strong, falling behind by as many as nine points in the first half.  Michael Young scored in the paint to give Pitt a 19-10 lead with 7:59 remaining in the first half, and Tech looked out of it offensively.  However, as they’ve done so many times this year, they battled back.  The Hokies went on a 12-0 run that was capped by two Zach LeDay free throws and took a 22-19 lead at the 2:37 mark.

The Panthers did come back and grab the lead late in the half, but a three-pointer by Seth Allen with 2.9 seconds left gave Tech a 27-26 halftime lead.

The game was back and forth early in the second half, but eventually Tech took control.  Pitt tied the game at 32 with 16:42 remaining, but then the Hokies went on an 18-6 run that was capped by a Devin Wilson layup with 9:20 to go.  At that point the Hokies led 50-38, but they still had to overcome some late adversity.

Tech led by as many as 13 points, and still led 64-52 with 3:45 remaining in the game.  However, three Tech turnovers in the final three minutes nearly let Pitt back in the game.  The Panthers trimmed the lead to 64-61, but a missed three-pointer by James Robinson with 23 seconds left was Pitt’s final chance.  Though Tech only scored one point in the final few minutes, that one point was a Zach LeDay free throw to make the score 65-61 with 19 seconds left on the clock.  The Hokies then got another defensive stop and went on to win the game.

Tech overcame an uncharacteristically bad free throw shooting night.  Though they got to the line 35 times, they made only 19 shots for 54.3%.  In ACC play this year, they are shooting 71.2%, and that includes Wednesday night’s poor performance.

Defense was the key to the win.  In January, the Hokies couldn’t stop anybody.  They allowed an average of 80.6 points per game in nine league games.  Three teams broke 90 points against Tech.  Since February 1, they’ve allowed an average of only 65.1 points per game.  Only two opponents have scored more than 70 points against them in that eight-game stretch, and nobody has topped 74 points.

Zach LeDay paced Tech with 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Justin Robinson and Seth Allen joined him in double figures with 10 points each.  The Hokies committed only eight turnovers (three in the final three minutes), and they limited the Panthers to eight offensive rebounds.  Coming into the game, Pitt was #11 in the country in offensive rebound percentage.

The Hokies will play their final regular season game of the year on Saturday against #7 Miami.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4pm, and the game will be televised by The ACC Network.  Check your local listings.

Box Score

17 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. Here is a site that has us with an 8 seed in the NIT! And this was put out before our Pitt win. If we were to go the NIT this year that would be crazy! But, an 8 seed is “last one in” so I still think we have to win one more game, either Miami or in the ACC tourney.

    http://bracketmatrix.com/nit.html

  2. Can tell we are doing better cause people are complaining about uniforms. I don’t care if they were orange oand lime, keep playing and getting better.

      1. School colors are a foundational part of any team’s identity. It’s true that sports at all levels are full of wild superstitions. But, if we are not wearing school colors because it might mess up a winning streak, that’s weird. What’s next, Ouija board to choose the starting line-up? Let’s hope our players and coaching staff believe we can play well and win based upon our abilities, not on our uniform colors.

  3. When did our colors become black and pink? Or are those uniforms left over from breast cancer awareness month (October)?

    1. I have been annoyed by this as well. Put some pink edges on jerseys or wear pink socks or shoes but our colors are Maroon and White and they should be displayed somewhere on the uniform. I don’t get it.

    2. I’m done with the pink. I think a lot of it nowadays is just pc. Who will be the first to stop using the pink?

      For the record I am very supportive of anything to reduce any medical condition.

    3. We’ve won 4 straight in those unis. Two things to remeber in sports…. 1. You don’t mess with a streak and 2. Women weaken legs.

      1. I bleed Maroon and Orange win or lose. Not black and pink. I’ll be glad when all the crazy uniform stuff ends in all sports. They are just getting silly.

  4. How refreshing to see the Hokies winning and competitive in bb. Buzz and crew have done outstanding job rebuilding and coaching this team. Future looking very bright!!!!
    GO HOKIES!!!!!

  5. Really fun to see VT BBall competitive again! I sense Buzz will continue down the winning path and leave the ACC basement for others to occupy! Great win and let’s beat the Canes!

  6. From the first Game I watched this year in the Cassell to the one last night. Some of best improvements has been defense . Buzz has sure brought this team up quick and I’m totally pleased with all he and these players has done so far. VT’s future looks very bright.

  7. Congratulations again to the Hokies! The players and Buzz found a way to win!

    Bring on Miami. Let’s go Tech!

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