Jaden Schutt scored 17 points, including two free throws with two seconds remaining, to help Virginia Tech defeat visiting North Carolina State 79-76 in the Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Wednesday night in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hokies (8-9, 3-3 ACC) trimmed a 15-point deficit from early in the second half to 76-75 on Schutt’s 3-pointer with 1:41 to play. Schutt, who netted nine points in the last three minutes, had gone scoreless in Virginia Tech’s last two games, and he finished in double figures for just the seventh time in 17 games.
Schutt then had two chances to put the Hokies ahead, but he missed both 3-point attempts. However, Schutt won a scramble for a loose ball off his second miss and was fouled. He made both free throws for a 77-76 lead.
On its last possession, NC State (9-8, 2-4) had its inbounds pass stolen by Virginia Tech’s Ben Burnham, who celebrated with a tomahawk jam to seal the Hokies’ victory.
Tobi Lawal led the Hokies in points (22) and rebounds (11). Burnham added 12 points.
Jayden Taylor paced NC State with 17 points, while Ben Middlebrooks scored 13 and added three steals. Marcus Hill chipped in 12 points.
NC State built its double-digit lead by ending the first half on an 11-0 run, that was kickstarted by a 3-pointer from Dontrez Styles. In the second half, the Wolfpack still had a 12-point advantage with 6:38 to play.
Virginia Tech closed the game on a 19-4 run.
The Wolfpack allowed the Hokies to shoot 50 percent on 3-pointers, and Virginia Tech won the rebounding battle 35-24.
–Field Level Media
