Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech earned its second-consecutive ACC win in a 85-70 rout of the Syracuse Orange in Cassell Coliseum on Saturday night.
The Hokies lifted themselves above Syracuse with a solid night from the 3-point line, finishing 13-of-32 from deep, with a season-high 11 made treys in the first half alone. They weren't shy to shoot, 31 attempted 3-pointers being the most since Tech put up 37 against Coppin State on Dec. 19, 2020.
Grant Basile led the way for the hot-handed Hokies, with 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Sixth-year senior Justyn Mutts complemented Basile's performance with a double-double day: 11 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, leading the team in latter two categories. This was Mutts' sixth double-double of the season.
Basile fittingly kicked off the game with a 3-pointer. The Hokies took a comfortable lead by the 10 minute mark, where they led 29-17. That's when they opened a stretch of scoring, where 9 of their last 10 field goals before half were threes.
Hunter Cattoor led that scoring spree, hitting five three-pointers in the first half alone. Cattoor tied his season-high for three point field goals made, finishing 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. He finished with 20 points and joined Mutts with eight assists. Saturday night marked the first time two Tech players recorded 8+ assists since Justin Robinson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker put up the same amount on Jan. 26, 2019 against Syracuse.
John Camden had a career night in his 27 minutes of action, setting personal bests in points (8), rebounds (6) and assists (3).
The Orange had some push-back, after the Hokies led by as much as 22 points early in the second half, Syracuse brought it back to within 12 points by the 11 minute mark.
Freshman Judah Mintz led the Orange's efforts, popping 21 points over 35 minutes of play, with 5 turnovers to his detriment.
Justin Taylor led the 3-point frenzy for Syracuse, responding to the Hokies' 11 with a 4-7 night from beyond the arc. All 12 of his points came from 3-point land, three of which in the second half.
The Hokies shut the door on Cuse's hot start after half time with an 8-0 scoring stretch, as Mutts capped off the run with a roof-rattling slam dunk.
Up next, the Hokies visit Coral Gables, Florida to face No. 20 Miami, which currently sits at sixth place in the ACC, on Tuesday night.
Gallery: (1-28-2023) MBB: Syracuse Game