Ben Hammond scored 16 points and connected on the game-winning layup as Virginia Tech defeated South Carolina 86-83 in overtime on Tuesday night in Columbia, S.C.
Hammond, who shot 5-of-9 from the floor and dished out two assists, saw his up-and-under attempt kiss off the glass and fall through the hoop with 13 seconds left to play.
Amani Hansberry, who added one free throw in the waning moments of the game to pad Virginia Tech’s lead, powered the Hokies (7-2) with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jaden Schutt added 12 points.
Meechie Johnson scored 18 points for South Carolina (5-3), Mike Sharavjamts had 14 and Kobe Knox chipped in 11.
After the Gamecocks scored the opening point, the Hokies jumped ahead with a 14-4 run and held that lead for more than 30 minutes. That stretch was highlighted by a one-handed jam from Hansberry on a fast break.
South Carolina finally charged back and took the lead for the second time all game with 3:44 to play in regulation. Sharavjamts capped a 7-0 run by tipping in Johnson’s miss while being fouled and sinking the free throw for a 3-point play.
Virginia Tech tied the game late, and the Gamecocks had a chance to win it in regulation but were forced into a shot-clock violation by the Hokies’ defense.
Virginia Tech was dominant in the paint, outscoring South Carolina 54-30 inside. The Gamecocks were unable to counter from 3-point land and shot just 8-of-30 from deep.
Senior forward Tobi Lawal missed his third straight game for Virginia Tech and wore a walking boot on the bench. On the Hokies’ pregame radio show, coach Mike Young said that Lawal — who averages 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game — will be out “for the foreseeable future.”
The victory for Virginia Tech is a solid resume booster for the ACC, as the SEC won 14 of 16 matchups in the annual cross-conference challenge last season.
–Field Level Media
