Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. – Virginia Tech struggled shooting from the field and slowing down an aggressive Duke team on Saturday night, as the Hokies fell 81-65 in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Hokies had four players score in double figures, led by Grant Basile, who had 15 points. Sean Pedulla added 12 points and Justyn Mutts chipped in as well with 11 points.
Tech's bright spot of the night was its shooting from beyond the arc, as the Hokies posted a 42.1% (8-19) clip. However, Virginia Tech had its fourth-worst performance from the field at 40.4%.
Duke utilized a handful of offensive outbursts to separate from Tech, including 8-0 and 9-0 runs in the first half and a 16-0 run in the second half.
Rodney Rice had the best night of his short career with 11 points, shooting 3-5 from deep.
Gallery: (2-25-2023) MBB: at Duke
How It Happened
Virginia Tech struggled out of the gate, falling behind 43-32 heading into halftime.
Duke kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 64-41 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Pedulla's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 64-47 with 8:58 to go in the contest. The Hokies kept their comeback going, but Duke managed to hold on for the 81-65 win. Virginia Tech shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting five shots from deep to score 15 of its 33 points.
Game Notes
» The Hokies shot well from three point range, knocking down eight of 19 long range attempts.
» Grant Basile led the Hokies with 15 points.
» Virginia Tech got five rebounds from both Mylyjael Poteat and Sean Pedulla.