Hokie ClubCHARLESTON, S.C. – Virginia Tech fell to the College of Charleston, 77-75, in the Charleston Classic championship game on Sunday afternoon. After trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Hokies rallied to take the lead in the second half, but ultimately fell to the hosts.
With the game tied at 75 after a Hunter Cattoor layup, Charleston's Pat Robinson III made a go-ahead bucket with three seconds remaining to give the Cougars the lead. Darius Maddox's half-court heave to win the game at the buzzer didn't fall for the Hokies.
The Hokies had four players score in double figures, led by Sean Pedulla, who had 17 points and two steals. Hunter Cattoor tacked on 17 points and two steals, while Justyn Mutts chipped in as well with 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Stay Connected with Tech Men's Basketball
Tech's defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Sunday's game, forcing 14 Charleston turnovers, while committing 13. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Mutts' two steals led the way individually for the Hokies.
How It Happened
After falling behind 27-17, Virginia Tech went on a 9-0 run with 6:52 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Grant Basile, to narrow its deficit to 27-26. Charleston (SC) answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Hokies down 35-30 entering halftime.
Virginia Tech narrowed its deficit to 40-36 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Basile's layup, to seize a 45-40 lead with 14:23 to go in the contest. Down the stretch, the Hokies led by four when Charleston went on a 7-0 run that peaked at the 1:25 mark. Cattoor made a 3-pointer to tie the game with 1:04 remaining before the Cougars answered with a layup with 41 seconds left to take a 75-73 lead. Cattoor responded again to tie it up, but Robinson III made a go-ahead shot with three seconds left to secure the win.
Game Notes
» Virginia Tech tied its season high in turnovers forced with 14.
» For the fifth time in five games this season, Mutts led the Hokies in rebounding. In the William & Mary game, he was one of four Tech players with four rebounds.
» Virginia Tech shot below 23-percent from deep in back-to-back games for the first time in the Mike Young era in the last two games.Gallery: (11-20-2022) MBB: College of Charleston Game