The Virginia Tech Hokies entered Tuesday night’s game against the Boston College Eagles in must-win mode. Currently one of the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament, according to various bracketologists, the Hokies could not afford to lose a home game against a 10-19 BC squad.
Fortunately for Virginia Tech, the message was received, as the Hokies beat the Eagles 72-63 in Blacksburg.
The first 20 minutes belonged to guard Neoklis Avdalas. The 6-foot-9 freshman from Greece scored 14 points, making
5 of his 8 shots from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. His 14 points led the Hokies, with Amani Hansberry scoring 7 points. As a team, Virginia Tech knocked down 7 threes, shooting 44% from beyond the arc. At one point, it appeared VT would blow the Eagles out of Cassell Coliseum, but Boston College finished the first half on a 6-0 run to make it a 35-24 deficit.
Coming out of intermission, the Hokies looked sloppy, turning the ball over multiple times. It allowed BC to climb back into the game. Fortunately, each time, Tech held the Eagles at bay. Throughout the second half, Boston College cut the game into single digits, even as low as 6 points, but Tech always responded.
With under five minutes remaining, Ben Hammond looked to have an easy layup after a steal, but went for the behind-the-back pass to Tobi Lawal and turned it over. The Eagles would then score in a row, making what would’ve been a 69-52 game, 67-58.
Lawal would slam the door on Boston College, finishing with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Lawal scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half and made 8 of his 9 attempts from the free throw line. As a team, VT made 15 of 18 from the line.
Avdalas finished the game with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Hansberry and Hammond each scored 11 for Tech, which shot 43% from the field but made 11 of 24 (46%) from 3-point range.
The win improves the Hokies to 19-11 and 8-9 in the ACC. Next up is the regular-season finale at No. 13 Virginia. The Hokies won the first meeting in triple overtime on New Year’s Eve in Blacksburg.
