Sean Pedulla scored 28 points to fuel Virginia Tech to an 82-76 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
Pedulla made 12 of 21 shots from the floor to help the Hokies (18-13, 10-10 ACC) secure a bye in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
MJ Collins collected 15 points and eight rebounds and Tyler Nickel added 15 points for Virginia Tech, which has won three in a row and improved to 14-2 at home this season. The Hokies also avenged a 74-66 setback to Notre Dame on Feb. 10.
Hunter Cattoor struggled mightily while competing on Senior Day, finishing with nine points after making just 2 of 8 shots from the floor — including 1 of 6 from 3-point range.
Virginia Tech benefited from a significant 39-28 edge in rebounds to offset Notre Dame’s strong shooting performance from the floor (51.9 percent).
Markus Burton scored 24 points and Tae Davis added 13 for the Fighting Irish (12-19, 7-13), who have dropped two in a row.
Burton’s layup cut Virginia Tech’s lead to two points at 74-72 with 1:23 remaining before Pedulla sandwiched layups around a block and defensive rebound at the other end. Burton countered with a layup and a free throw to bring Notre Dame within three at 78-75 with 22 seconds left.
MJ Collins made a pair of free throws to push the advantage to five. Burton answered with one of his own, however he missed the other before Nickel sealed the win at the foul line.
Braeden Shrewsberry sank a jumper to bring Notre Dame within two at 68-66 with 4:37 remaining in the second half. Robbie Beran, however, converted Virginia Tech’s fourth shot on its next possession to regain its four-point lead.
Shrewsberry made a free throw to forge a tie at 38 with 1:32 remaining in the first half. Pedulla, however, converted a three-point play and Collins made a dunk at the buzzer to stake Virginia Tech to a five-point lead at intermission.
–Field Level Media
