No. 6 Virginia’s Seven-Game Win Streak Snapped at Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 6 Virginia (17-4, 9-3 ACC) had its seven-game win streak snapped at Cassell Coliseum Saturday afternoon (Feb. 4) as Virginia Tech (14-9, 4-8 ACC) defeated the Cavaliers, 74-68.

Saturday’s contest was worth 0.5 points in the Commonwealth Clash standings, presented by Smithfield. With 11 head-to-head competitions completed between the schools in 2022-23, UVA leads the Hokies 5.0-2.0.

Jayden Gardner registered his 38^th career double-double with 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Kihei Clark (17 points, 5 rebounds) and Reece Beekman (15 points, 5 assists) also scored in double figures for the Cavaliers.

Virginia Tech’s Sam Pedulla tied his career high with 22 points and Justin Mutts finished with 17 points and eight assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cavaliers never led throughout Saturday’s game as Tech shot 51 percent from the field, while UVA shot 41 percent.

After leading for most of the first half, the Hokies clung to a 32-30 lead at intermission. Pedulla scored 14 of his 22 total points on 5-of-8 shooting in the first half. Tech tallied 20 points in the paint in the first stanza. Gardner led UVA with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting at the half.

The Hokies grasped their largest lead of the half, 26-17, with seven minutes to go. Shortly thereafter, the Cavaliers missed five consecutive field goals before draining four shots in a row, including a 3 by Isaac McKneely, which cut the Hokies lead to 30-28 with 2:33 to play in the first. Virginia closed out the half with three straight defensive stops.

The first seven made baskets of the second half by either team came in the paint. A block by Beekman led to a Gardner made layup in transition, which tied the game 38-38 at the 15:09 mark. Just as UVA started to pick up steam, Mutts converted an and-1 on the ensuing possession. Virginia would not tie or take the lead the rest of the way. The Hokies secured their largest lead of the contest, 55-45, with 8:09 to play. A 7-0 UVA run cut Tech’s lead to 55-52, but that was as close as the Cavaliers would come for the remainder of the game.

Clark and Gardner both scored 12 points each in the second half, while Beekman added nine.

UP NEXT
The Cavaliers host NC State (19-5, 9-4 ACC) on Tuesday (Feb. 7). Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 9 p.m. on ACC Network.