Ben Hammond came off the bench to score 10 of his career-high 30 points in the third overtime as host Virginia Tech outlasted No. 21 Virginia 95-85 in the Commonwealth Clash on Wednesday afternoon in Blacksburg, Va.
Christian Gurdak contributed 17 points and 19 rebounds as the injury-riddled Hokies (11-2, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) overcame the loss of three starters to win their sixth straight.
Amani Hansberry delivered 17 points and 15 rebounds for Virginia Tech, while Neoklis Avdalas added 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Hokes were without Tyler Johnson, who was on crutches with an undisclosed injury, joining Tobi Lawal (foot) and Antonio Dorn (back) on the sidelines.
Malik Thomas scored 26 points and Thijs De Ridder added 22 points and 13 rebounds to pace Virginia (11-2, 0-1), which saw the end of its six-game winning streak.
In the decisive overtime session, the Hokies outscored the Cavaliers 17-7, with Hansberry draining a 3-pointer which gave Virginia Tech the lead for good, 85-82, with 2:24 left.
Both teams had a chance to win in the closing seconds of regulation. With 5 seconds left, Avdalas blocked a layup attempt by Virginia’s Devin Tillis. Then, at the other end, Hammond missed a fast-break runner at the buzzer.
In the first overtime, De Ridder scrambled for a loose ball and scored on a layup with 13 seconds left to give Virginia a 68-66 lead. But Gurdak answered, cutting to the basket for a two-fisted slam with 4 seconds left.
In the second overtime, Virginia Tech led by five points with 14 seconds left. But Thomas scored six points in a span of 4 seconds, sandwiched around two free throws by Hammond.
Then, after another free throw by Hammond put Virginia Tech up 78-76, Chance Mallory scored at the buzzer off a missed jumper by Thomas to send it to a third overtime at 78-78.
–Field Level Media
