Nice play leads Virginia Tech to 98-76…
Virginia Tech beat Wofford 98-76 to improve to 3-1 on the season while the Terriers fell to 2-2 on the season. The Hokies can now turn their attention to the ESPN Events Invitational and the important non-conference opportunity they have to build their resume in Orlando starting on Thanksgiving night at 8pm against Boise State on ESPN2.
The Hokies came out a little slow offensively but once they got into a shooting rhythm, things took off for the Hokies especially in the second half. Tech was 19-27 (70.4%) from the field in the final 20 minutes of this game while finishing 33-58 (56.9%) from the field including 10-20 (50.0%) from three-point range.
Tech did a great job of capitalizing on turnovers and offensive rebounds in this game with 23 points off of Wofford’s 15 turnovers and 18 second chance points off nine offensive rebounds. Additionally, Tech did a great job of getting out of transition and attacking with 19 quick points.
It’s still early days but it looks like the clear main trio for this team is starting to emerge with Hunter Cator, Sean Bedulla, and Len Kidd. You may not have expected Kidd to be one of those three entering this season, but the former four-star recruit and Clemson transfer has upped his game this season.
Kidd followed up a 24-point, 15-rebound game against Campbell with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists while shooting 6-8 from the field and 8-8 from the free throw line. Kidd now has four straight double-figure games after having just four double-figure games in his entire collegiate career prior to this season. It is clear that Kidd has taken a huge leap this season and will be a key part of hockey success in Orlando and beyond.
Hunter Cattoor continues to come as close to the 3-point shots Virginia Tech has ever made. Cator went 4-6 from three-point range as part of his 17 points in this game, putting him three threes away from breaking the school record held by AD Vassallo.
Sean Bedulla came out strong in the second half to help put a 10-point first-half game out of reach with 11 points in the first five minutes of the second half en route to 19 points as well as five rebounds and two assists.
Tyler Nickel continues to emerge as the top player in Virginia Tech’s 2023 transfer class, putting up 14 points on 3-3 from three-point range as well as 5-7 from the free throw line along with two steals, two assists and one rebound. Mekhi Long was solid with six points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal while Robby Beran added three points, four rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.
Mylyjael Poteat continues to provide quality bench minutes with four points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 14 minutes. MJ Collins had a solid six points, three rebounds and three assists while Brandon Rechsteiner was efficient when Pedulla dealt with foul trouble in the first half as he had six points, two assists and one rebound while finishing with a +14 plus/minus despite playing Only 16 minutes.
Jaydon Young and John Camden both played in the final few minutes with Camden having three points and one rebound while Young had one rebound and one assist.
This was a very consistent and accomplished performance for the Hokies who took care of business against a weaker Wofford team. Now the stage is set for Tech to take a step back into the competition in Orlando starting with Boise State in pursuit of at least one or two valuable non-conference victories to provide an early boost to their resume.
(Tags for translation) Points
