NC State, Virginia Tech Split The Regular Season Meetings Because NC State Won The Inaugural Match Up In Blacksburg While Virginia Tech Won The Rematch In Raleigh

NC State, Virginia Tech split the regular season meetings because NC State won the inaugural match up in Blacksburg while Virginia Tech won the rematch in North Carolina’s state capital.

NC State won the inaugural match up in Blacksburg 68-63 on January 4, 2022!

In NC State’s 68-63 win over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Tuesday January 4, 2022 NC State held Virginia Tech without a field goal for over four minutes in the final five minutes of the game to defeat the Hokies, 68-63, inside Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday night.

Virginia Tech's Justyn Mutts gave the Hokies a 59-58 lead with 4:54 to play on a putback bucket. The Hokies would not make another field goal again until 34 seconds remained in the game.

On the next possession after the Hokies had taken the lead, NC State was relentless on the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds on the same possession before Ebenezer Dowuona scored his lone bucket of the game to put NC State back in front, 60-59.

The Pack would never trail again.

After forcing back-to-back turnovers on Virginia Tech possessions, Dereon Seabron made two free throws with 2:17 to play to put NC State in front by two.

The Hokies missed a three-pointer on its next possession and Seabron drove to the basket to put the Pack up five, 64-59, with 1:29 left.

After another empty possession from Virginia Tech, Ernest Ross soared high and gathered an offensive rebound for the Pack and laid it back in to put NC State in front by seven with 40 seconds to go.

Seabron posted his ninth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds. He finished the game 8-of-14 shooting and also had a team-high three assists.

Terquavion Smith added 17 points and seven rebounds.

Jericole Hellems finished with 15 points.

NC State had 11 of its 14 offensive rebounds in the second half and outrebounded the Hokies, 21-9, in the final 20 minutes. For the game, the Pack finished with a 36-26 rebounding advantage.

NC State led for over 16 minutes in the first half. The Pack jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. Virginia Tech responded with an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the game, but NC State retook the lead on a Jericole Hellems jumper. With the Pack leading 14-13, Terquavion Smith scored NC State's next 11 points to help the Pack take a 25-17 lead. Thomas Allen extended the lead to 10, 29-19, a few minutes later.

Allen's bucket was the last points of the half for NC State as Virginia Tech held NC State scoreless over the final 5:11 of the half and ended the half on a 14-0 run to take a 33-29 lead into the break.

“according to an article on gopack.com”

Virginia Tech won the rematch in North Carolina’s state capital on Wednesday night by a score of 62-59.

In Virginia Tech’s win the rematch Virginia Tech escaped PNC Arena on Wednesday night with a 62-59 win over NC State.

The Hokies (10-7, 2-4 ACC) established their presence in the game early, leading off with a 13-0 run to set the tone. Tech would lead by as many as 18 points in the first half. Shooting 53.3 percent from the field, Tech went into the break leading 35-21.

Virginia Tech dominated the glass, as big men Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts combined for 20 rebounds. NC State only grabbed 26 boards throughout the game, marking the second game in a row that Tech limited its opponents to 26 or fewer rebounds.

Despite giving up a chunk of their lead in the second half, the Hokies bunkered down when it mattered most. After the Wolfpack drew the score within two points with 5:33 remaining in the game, Tech didn't surrender another bucket for the next 3:57 of the game, allowing for a seven-point cushion to emerge.

Freshman Sean Pedulla came up huge down the stretch when fouled with 12 seconds remaining. The Edmond, Oklahoma native stepped up to the line with confidence and restored a three-point lead for the Hokies that they would see out for the win. 

How It Happened

Virginia Tech started out the scoring by going on a 13-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Sean Pedulla, to take an early lead with 13:33 left in the first half. The Hokies used their early momentum to finish out the first half and head into halftime with a 35-21 advantage. Virginia Tech did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 24 of its 35 points close to the basket.

NC State scored in spurts in the second half to edge down the Hokies' lead. A scoreless spell for Tech between 7:45 and 4:09 in the second half allowed the Wolfpack to get within two points. Virginia Tech responded with its own solid defensive effort and a Storm Murphy 3-pointer to grow the lead back to seven. A couple turnovers let NC State get within one with 0:21 remaining, but Pedulla's free throws sealed the win for Virginia Tech.

Game Notes

»Keve Alumanotched his fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
» Aluma extended his double-digit scoring streak to 12 games.
» Virginia Tech never trailed on the way to a 62-59 victory.
» Virginia Tech had a 37-26 edge on the boards in the win.
» Tech's 36 rebounds were the most by the team in any ACC game this season.
» The Hokies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Virginia Tech cleaned up the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
»Justyn Muttsled the Hokies with 13 points.

NC State is now going to prepare to host another team from the state of Virginia! This time, from Charlottesville as they host Virginia on Saturday in North Carolina’s state capital.

Tip off is set for 4:00pm from PNC Arena!

The game is going to be televised on ACC Network!

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech is going to be preparing to remain on the road and play Boston College in Chestnut Hill Massachusetts on Saturday.

Tip off is set for 12:00pm from Conte Forum!

The game is going to be televised on Regional Sports Network!