Hokies get back in win column with 89-76 triumph over Notre Dame

BLACKSBURG - Behind two 20-point scorers and a phenomenal performance at the free throw line, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team got back into the win column iwht an 89-76 victory over visiting Notre Dame Saturday afternonn. The win moves Tech to 14-5 (3-3), while the Irish are 10-8 (1-4).

After a cagey opening few minutes, the Hokies took control of the game with an 8-0 spurt  at the 13:30 mark after pushing the lead to nine points, forcing a Notre Dame timeout. Minutes later, Tech put together a 10-0 run with baskets from three different Hokies: Ben Hammond, Neoklis Avdalas and Christian Gurdak to take a double digit lead for the first time. 

At the half, Tech led 45-34, its highest scoring first half since early December against Western Carolina.

In the second frame, Tech pushed its advantage to as much as 20, fueled by a fantastic effort from the free throw line (28-32) and taking advantage of Irish miscues. Tech scored 20 points off turnovers.

Tobi Lawal led the charge with his fourth double-double of the season (22 points, 11 rebounds) and he was joined in double figures by Amani Hansberry (21), Hammond (16) and Jailen Bedford (14) who has recorded 10 or more in three sttraight games. 

GAME NOTES
•The starters for Virginia Tech were Neoklis Avdalas, Ben Hammond, Jailen Bedford, Amani Hansberry, and Christian Gurdak for the second consecutive game. It is the eighth different starting combination that Mike Young has used this season.
•The Hokies had two 20-point scorers for the first time this season.
•VT hit their first 24 free throws, setting a new record for most consecutive makes in a game (since at least 2009). Overall the squad was 28-32 (.875) the highest percentage in a game this season.
•The 14th win for VT eclipses the squad's win total from a season ago (13-19).

UP NEXT
Tech is on the road for two consecutive road contests at Syracuse and No. 20 Louisville. Tipoff against the Orange is on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. on ACCN. The Hokies will face Louisville on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m. on The CW.