Hokies Power Past Orange, 78-56

Saturday, January 26

Blacksburg, Va.

8 P.M.

Syracuse University

Virginia Tech

Syracuse

Virginia Tech

1/26/2019 10:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Tyus Battle Interview Frank Howard Interview Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, VA. – No. 10/8 Virginia Tech (16-3, 5-2 ACC) used 14 3-pointers to defeat Syracuse (14-6, 5-2 ACC), 78-56, Saturday evening in Cassell Coliseum. The Orange, who have been stellar from behind the arc in conference play, banked nine but could not find an answer for the Hokies' 24-of-46 overall shooting performance.

Oshae Brissett notched a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Frank Howard contributed 13 points and tied a season-high with four steals while Tyus Battle had his 12^th consecutive double-digit scoring game with 10 points.

Virginia Tech's Justin Robinson had a career-night with 35 points and eight assists. He became Tech's all-time career assist leader with 548. Robinson was 7-of-8 from behind the arc in the first half and finished the night with nine trey's, a new Tech single-game record.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Orange narrowed Virginia Tech's 19-point, halftime advantage to eight, Syracuse faced another Hokie assault. Virginia Tech produced a 14-1 run over a seven-minute stretch to rebuild a sturdy lead. The Orange were unable to mount a significant threat the rest of the way.

COACH BOEHEIM'S THOUGHTS
"I thought the difference in the game was their defense was really, really good. In the second half we got some better movement on offense and penetration to start but then we just couldn't continue it. Defensively, we just did a very poor job of finding [Justin] Robinson and they did a very good job of finding him."

HOKIES RUN THE FIRST HALF
The Hokies, who entered the game ranked third nationally in 3-point field goal percentage, did not disappoint, grabbing an early 22-11 lead that included a 13-3 run. Tech shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range in the first 10 minutes of the matchup. The Orange were able to break a nearly four-minute scoring drought with a 3-pointer from Battle, but Virginia Tech came back with two consecutive baskets. The Hokies consistently found a way to halt any momentum Syracuse attempted to build, extending the lead to 34-16 on a second chance basket by Kerry Blackshear. An eighth 3-pointer had the Tech run reach 15-2 before Battle had the final basket of the half, and the Orange entered intermission down 43-24.

ORANGE FIND LIFE TO OPEN SECOND HALF
Syracuse barged back into the contest with an impressive 11-0 run to start the second half. The charge cut the Virginia Tech margin to 43-35. The Orange hit 4-of-6 from the field during the stretch and Brissett had five of the 11 points. At the same time, the Syracuse zone held the Hokies scoreless for the first 4:37 following the intermission.

OF NOTE

Saturday marked the Orange's first loss in a true road game this season, putting the club's away record at 3-1.
Virginia Tech finished with a 31-26 rebounding advantage.
Syracuse dropped to 9-4 all-time against Virginia Tech. The last four matchups between the two teams has been won by the home squad.
Syracuse has forced 13 Hokie turnovers, extending a streak of creating 10-or-more opponent miscues to all 20 games this year
Virginia Tech's 43 first-half points were the most any team has scored in the first 20 minutes against the Orange this season.
With the victory, Virginia Tech improved to 11-0 at home this season..

UP NEXT
Syracuse continues its three-game stretch of road contests as they travel to Boston College on Jan. 30 for a midweek matchup. Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 8 p.m. The game will be televised by Raycom.

The Orange have five home games remaining on the schedule, including a sold-out matchup against Duke on Feb. 23. Tickets for the remaining home slate are available online at cuse.com/tickets, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX or in person at Gate B of the Carrier Dome.