Hokies Win Over Georgia Tech In The First Of Three Game Home Stretch (Video Included)

Deron Washington slams one home during Saturday's game versus Georgia Tech. Washington finished the day with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
STAFF PHOTO BY BRIAN SEWELL

The Hokies got revenge on the Yellow Jackets Saturday afternoon with a 92-84 win in the battle of the Techs.

Virginia Tech executed in all areas of the game and needed to grab the crucial victory and improve to 7-6 in the league. The Hokies committed fewer turnovers, fewer fouls, scored more points off free throws, grabbed more rebounds, and scored more second chance points than their opponent.

In addition, they completely shut down senior guard Matt Causey, who scored a career high 30 points out of nowhere during their game in Atlanta a month ago. Causey scored just two points off of free throws and actually did not even attempt a shot from the field during the game.

“He was more of a focus this game because we knew if he gets hot, he can turn the game around. Malcolm [Delaney] and Hank [Thorns] both did a good job on him,” senior Deron Washington said.

Virginia Tech scored a season high in team points by capitalizing from the free thrown line. The Hokies tallied 36 points off of 49 free throw attempts.

With 60 total fouls called in the game and 83 free throw attempts shot by both teams, the contest stretched out over two and a half hours.

“Everyone is going to talk about the number of fouls. I think it was just two teams that really understood the significance of the game,” Hokies coach Seth Greenberg said.

“I think it was a hard played, competitive game between two teams that were extremely passionate that really trying to find a way to win the game was important. I don’t think it was anything more than that.”

Leading the scoring fury for the Hokies was A.D. Vassallo who finished with a season high 27 points. Vassallo hit just one three in the game, usually his specialty, but was able to find baskets in tough mid range jumpers over D’Andre Bell.

Virginia Tech scored 21 second chance points compared to the Yellow Jackets 6 as a result of their dominance on the offense glass—18 offensive rebounds compared to Georgia Tech’s 8.

Freshman J.T. Thompson, playing with an injured ankle, was able to grab five offensive rebounds himself finishing with a total of eight and 13 points.

A number of his offensive rebounds came from highflying dunk put backs late in the second half—putting away the game for the Hokies.

“ I had some aches and pains but I played through it. Once you get pumped up, you don’t really notice it,” Thompson said.

The Hokies started the game off slowly on the offensive end, allowing Georgia Tech to jump out to a 12-2 lead in the first 6 minutes.

While Georgia Tech's stifling defense looked like it would be forcing the Hokies into turnovers all game long, Virginia Tech only turned the ball over once in the second half.

Depending on the results of some key other league games this weekend, the win moves the Hokies up around third or fourth place once again. With two home games coming up and finishing with a big opportunity on the road at Clemson, talks of tournament hopes are still alive.

“We’ve got a big chance. We stole the one at Maryland then we had three home games in a row. We’ve got a chance at making something special happen if we can get these next two home games. We’re in a good hunt right now for the NCAA tournament,” Vassallo said.

Video by Neal Turnage