The Virginia Tech Hokies looked well on their way to their 13th win of the season and second in ACC play on Wednesday night against the Stanford Cardinal in Blacksburg. Then the final two minutes and 18 seconds happened, as Stanford shocked the Hokies 69-68 when freshman sensation Ebuka Okorie drained an open 3-pointer with three seconds remaining.
Virginia Tech had one more shot, but Neoklis Avdalas’ inbounds pass was weak, allowing Stanford to steal it, and the Hokies failed to get a shot off. Virginia Tech fell
to 12-4 on the season, with a 1-2 mark in ACC play. It was a brutal loss for Tech, which led virtually the entire game. Stanford’s last lead came at the 14:27 mark in the first half before Jaden Schutt’s 3-pointer gave the Hokies a 7-5 lead. It was a lead that VT would hold until Okorie’s game-winner in the final seconds.
First, the good news. Senior forward Tobi Lawal returned after missing nine games. He came off the bench and played 18 minutes, finishing with five points and three rebounds. It was part of Tech’s plan to ease Lawal back into the lineup. The Hokies were still without sophomore guard Tyler Johnson and freshman center Antonio Dorn.
Okorie was the story of the game. This game looked over throughout the second half. But the freshman, who came into the game averaging 22 points per game, took over, scoring 26 of 31 points in the final 20 minutes. Late in the game, any time Stanford needed a bucket, the ball was in Okorie’s hands, and everyone else got out of the way. Senior guard Jailen Bedford put forth a solid effort in defending Okorie, but his quickness was too much.
After Ben Hammond’s trey with 2:18 remaining, the Hokies led 67-55. Stanford would then outscore Virginia Tech 14-1 to end the game. Okorie would score 11 of those 14 points and assisted on the other three points. The Hokies had a chance to push the lead back to three points with 16 seconds left, but Avdalas missed the first of two free throws, and it was a two-point game.
Did we say this was a brutal loss? Look, Stanford is a good team. The Cardinal won 21 games last season and is even better this year. Okorie isn’t just one of the nation’s top freshmen; he’s one of the top players. Kyle Smith is an excellent coach, too.
Avdalas led the Hokies with 21 points, but it was a disappointing finish for the outstanding freshman from Greece. Not only did he miss one of two free throws, but he also struggled with the inbounds pass and took an ill-advised 3-point attempt late when the Hokies were trying to run down the clock.
It was yet another double-double for junior forward Amani Hansberry, who scored 11 points and had 11 rebounds. Hammond scored 14 off the bench.
Things do not get easier for the Hokies. They host Cal on Saturday and face No. 24 SMU next Wednesday.
