Hokies 52 First-Half Points Defeat Orange, 85-70
1/28/2023 9:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Virginia Tech (13-8, 3-7) collected an opponent season-high of 52 points in the first frame and defeated Syracuse (13-9, 6-5), 85-70, inside Cassell Coliseum on Saturday night. The 85 total points scored by the Hokies marked the most the Orange have allowed in a game this season.
Judah Mintz (21 points) matched a previous high of two 3-pointers and marked the fifth time this season he has logged 20 or more points. Maliq Brown (11 points) earned his first career start and equaled a previous personal best of two blocks. Justin Taylor's (12 points) four 3-pointers locked in the most three-pointers he has scored in a game this season.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
After four lead changes across the opening five minutes of action, the Hokies utilized nine unanswered points over the next two minutes to give themselves an 18-10 advantage. Virginia Tech saw four different performers connect on their marks, led by a 3-pointer by Hunter Cattoor, his first of the night. The Hokie's held the lead for a total of 37:46 ensuring the Orange loss.
HOKIES ON THE RUN
At the midway point in the first period, the Orange attempted to counter with a triple from Mintz off the hand of Symir Torrence but VT's Cattoor turned around with his second three-pointer of the matchup. Girard was then sent to the foul line and made two-of-two before Mintz sank a floater, cutting SU's deficit to four, 21-17.
Fifteen ticks later, Cattoor and MJ Collins each nailed a 3-pointer, and Mylyjael Poteat sandwiched a layup in between, rounding out an 8-0 spurt for Virginia Tech. The Hokies held a 29-17 advantage with 8:46 to play in the first half.
Syracuse entered the break with a 19-point deficit to Virginia Tech, 52-33. VT's 52 first-half points mark the most Syracuse has allowed by an opponent this season.
ORANGE ATTEMPTS TO SLICE
Syracuse began to cut into the Hokies advantage eight minutes into the second half. Brown made one-of-two at the charity stripe before notching a layup off of a VT turnover. Mintz followed with a step back jumper to cut Virginia Tech's edge to 12 points. With 11 minutes left in the contest, the Hokies held a 65-53 advantage.
VT's Justin Mutts' and Grant Basile evenly split the next eight points, all composed of layups. Hunter Cattoor had assists on both of Mutts' makes and Virginia Tech led by 20 points with 7:23 remaining in regulation.
Virginia Tech finished the game with 85 total points, the most Syracuse has allowed in a matchup this season.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
UP NEXT
The 'Cuse head back to the JMA Wireless Dome for its second meeting of the season with #7 Virginia on Monday, Jan. 30. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. and the contest will air live on ESPN.
TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).
Gallery: (1-28-2023) Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech
Judah Mintz (21 points) matched a previous high of two 3-pointers and marked the fifth time this season he has logged 20 or more points. Maliq Brown (11 points) earned his first career start and equaled a previous personal best of two blocks. Justin Taylor's (12 points) four 3-pointers locked in the most three-pointers he has scored in a game this season.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
After four lead changes across the opening five minutes of action, the Hokies utilized nine unanswered points over the next two minutes to give themselves an 18-10 advantage. Virginia Tech saw four different performers connect on their marks, led by a 3-pointer by Hunter Cattoor, his first of the night. The Hokie's held the lead for a total of 37:46 ensuring the Orange loss.
HOKIES ON THE RUN
At the midway point in the first period, the Orange attempted to counter with a triple from Mintz off the hand of Symir Torrence but VT's Cattoor turned around with his second three-pointer of the matchup. Girard was then sent to the foul line and made two-of-two before Mintz sank a floater, cutting SU's deficit to four, 21-17.
Fifteen ticks later, Cattoor and MJ Collins each nailed a 3-pointer, and Mylyjael Poteat sandwiched a layup in between, rounding out an 8-0 spurt for Virginia Tech. The Hokies held a 29-17 advantage with 8:46 to play in the first half.
Syracuse entered the break with a 19-point deficit to Virginia Tech, 52-33. VT's 52 first-half points mark the most Syracuse has allowed by an opponent this season.
ORANGE ATTEMPTS TO SLICE
Syracuse began to cut into the Hokies advantage eight minutes into the second half. Brown made one-of-two at the charity stripe before notching a layup off of a VT turnover. Mintz followed with a step back jumper to cut Virginia Tech's edge to 12 points. With 11 minutes left in the contest, the Hokies held a 65-53 advantage.
VT's Justin Mutts' and Grant Basile evenly split the next eight points, all composed of layups. Hunter Cattoor had assists on both of Mutts' makes and Virginia Tech led by 20 points with 7:23 remaining in regulation.
Virginia Tech finished the game with 85 total points, the most Syracuse has allowed in a matchup this season.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The lineup swap marked the second time this season that Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim has tinkered with the starting five.
- The Hokies Basile led all scorers with 25 points and eight boards.
- Brown has collared double-digit points in five of the last seven outings.
- Taylor's 12 points is the most he has scored since his career-best 25-point effort against Bryant (11/26)
- Virginia Tech secured its seventh victory in the all-time series with Syracuse and SU still holds a record of 12-7.
- Girard (1,500 points) climbed past Dale Shackleford (1,496) and Rudy Hackett (1,496) into 24th place on the Syracuse all-time scoring ledger.
- The Orange outscored Virginia Tech in bench points, 22-12.
- Mintz dished out eight assists, the most he has contributed since facing Georgetown on Dec. 10 (10, career-high).
UP NEXT
The 'Cuse head back to the JMA Wireless Dome for its second meeting of the season with #7 Virginia on Monday, Jan. 30. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. and the contest will air live on ESPN.
TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).
Team Stats
SU
VT
FG%
.469
.533
3FG%
.389
.406
FT%
.708
.533
RB
26
37
TO
15
15
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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