The Virginia Tech Hokies were back in Blacksburg for an in-state afternoon battle against the undefeated George Mason Patriots. It was Tech’s fourth straight game with senior forward Tobi Lawal, and the Hokies had no trouble on Saturday, defeating the Patriots 73-62 to improve to 8-2 on the season.
Virginia Tech jumped on George Mason early, opening up a 7-0 lead. The teams went back and forth with VT continuing to lead until GMU took its first lead with 7:44 remaining in the first half after a Kory Mincy 3-point basket. However, only a few minutes later, Amani Hansberry’s layup gave the Hokies a 27-26 lead, which they’d never relinquish.
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Tech finished the first half on a 16-4 run to take a 43-30 lead into halftime.
The Hokies controlled the entire second half, and at one point, took a 23-point lead. GMU would claw back late, but it wouldn’t be enough, allowing Virginia Tech to pick up a second consecutive impressive non-conference win.
Junior guard Jaden Schutt came off the bench to score 18 points to lead the Hokies. Schutt made 6 of 12 from beyond the arc. Hansberry scored 15 for Tech, and also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out six assists. Sophomore guard Tyler Johnson had 13 points and five rebounds for the Hokies, while fellow sophomore guard Ben Hammond came off the bench to score 10.
It was a quiet day for freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas, who finished with six points and six assists.
The Hokies shot 47% from the field, but were outrebounded 36-27. Next up for the Hokies is a game against Western Carolina on Thursday in Blacksburg.