Barclays Center—Virginia Tech Hokies a turned up the defensive pressure in the second half to earn its tenth win of the season, as VT beat Oklahoma State, 70-65, in the Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams started sluggish on the offensive side, heading into the first media timeout a combined 3-12 from the hardwood with Tech holding a slim 5-2 advantage. The teams got into a little grove into a 17-14 score before Virginia Tech had a 9-0 run with Basile leading the way with 10 points. The Hokies led 34-25 going into the break.
The Hokies had three players score in double figures, led by Sean Pedulla, who scored 16 points and four assists. Pedulla was named MVP after the conclusion of the contest. Justyn Mutts chipped in 13 points, four assists, and six steals and Grant Basile poured in 13 points as well along with two blocks.
Mutts’ six swipes was a season-high, Tech had eleven steals as a team and that was the difference maker in the second half. Those six steals were the most by a Tech player since Nickeil Alexander-Walker had six at Miami in January 2019.
Virginia Tech had 12 assists to 10 turnovers on 66 possessions. Entering Sunday, the program ranked first in D-I in turnover percentage at 13%.
Oklahoma State (6-4) started the second half 7-of-11 and had a 21-8 run that put the Hokies on their heels (10-1, 1-0 ACC). Over that stretch VT was an abysmal 2-of-15 from the court.
Cowboys center Moussa Cisse made a free throw out of the 12-minute media timeout in the second half to extend his team’s lead to five points, 47-42. From there the Hokies never looked back took control over the game.
Over the remaining 11:25, VTech held OSU to 4-of-14 from the court and forced them to turn over the ball numerous times. During the time the Hokies outscored the Cowboys 28-19 and hitting 7-of-11 shots.
Avery Anderson III and Kalib Boone each scored 15 points to lead Oklahoma State. As a team, the Cowboys grabbed one more rebound than the Hokies, 38-37. They finished with 14 assists to 17 turnovers, though.
The Hokies held the Cowboys to only 40-percent shooting, marking the second time this season that they’ve restricted their opponents to 40-percent or less shooting in back-to-back games.
Virginia Tech forced 17 Oklahoma State turnovers while committing 10 themselves in Sunday’s game. The Hokies turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor.
Next Up:
Virginia Tech will be home Dec. 17 against Grambling State at 4 P.M
