Hokies Escape Cassell with a 80-75 Win Over Ole Miss

Virginia Tech defeated the Ole Miss Rebels Sunday afternoon to even up the all-time series at two wins apiece. Virginia Tech at one point led by 11 with about five minutes on the clock, but Mississippi cut the lead down to one with a minute remaining. A clutch floater and a LeDay dunk gave the Hokies enough juice to pull this one off.

Mississippi’s biggest weakness coming into today was defending the three-point shot, and the Hokies continually tried to exploit it, cashing in on five of their first seven attempts. However, they went 0-11 to end the half and failed to generate great looks inside. They picked it back up in the second, shooting 50% from deep in the period.

The main problem was rebounding and defense on the low block. Mississippi’s Sebastian Saiz torched the Hokies down low for 21 points, mostly coming from his signature baby hook move. He had too much size for LeDay and Clarke to handle, so when the Hokies did double, they failed to get the rebound.

Free throw shooting was problematic throughout, but Ahmed Hill iced the game late with four clutch free throws. That does not mean it is not a problem, but it showed the ability to finish, even when momentum was swinging back and forth in a wild last five minutes.

The Hokies will host The Citadel next Saturday at Cassell Coliseum.