The Virginia Tech Hokies traveled to Chestnut Hill on Wednesday night to face a Boston College team that was 11-1 at home, prior to this game, with wins over Duke and Florida State. The Hokies did not shoot well in the first half but kept the Golden Eagles at a distance until the last few minutes in the game. Tech almost let the game slip away but in overtime, they got the job done to win 85-80.
Led by Kerry Blackshear who was 7-12 from the floor and scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, the Hokies were able to play well enough on defense to fend off Boston College, but Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson kept the Golden Eagles in the game. Robinson had 32 for Boston College while Bowman had 22.
Three other Hokie players scored in double figures, including Justin Robinson, who had a double-double with ten points and 12 assists (tying a single-game school record). Robinson came into the game as the only Tech player to score in double figures in all six away games this season. Robinson also only had one turnover, meaning he's accumulated 23 assists and two turnovers in the past three games against North Carolina, at Notre Dame, and at Boston College.
Star freshman Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored in double figures for the first time in back-to-back games since the first two games of the season, putting up 18. While shooting 7-14 from the floor, he also did a great job hustling and grabbing six rebounds. Justin Bibbs also shot 7-14 from the floor and scored 18 points, his second straight game in double figures. Bibbs and Alexander-Walker shot a combined 8-15 from behind the arc.
Ahmed Hill did not have his best game of the season as he shot 3-13 and scored 9 points. Wabissa Bede did not score a basket but he returned to his home state of Massachusetts and helped the team get a win. Devin Wilson played 13 minutes and scored four points, while Chris Clarke had a very good game on the boards with nine rebounds in addition to having six points and four assists.
Not bad stat lines for the Hokies in a game that was a must-win, but one of the best things was that Blackshear only picked up three fouls, the first time in an away game this season he did not have four or five. He only had one foul at halftime. The referees called plenty of fouls, however, and when Boston College trailed by 7 points with a minute to go, the Hokies almost let the game slip away. Justin Bibbs fouled Robinson as he shot a three pointer and Chris Clarke picked up a technical foul which sent Robinson to the line to shoot five total free throws. He made all five.
Bibbs then fouled Robinson again with 20 seconds to go and he made two free throws to tie the game up at 71. The Hokies could not score on the final possession and the game was sent to overtime, which Tech dominated. The team was excellent in overtime and Boston College could not draw much closer.
It wasn't the prettiest of games for Buzz Williams' crew but they found a way to win their third consecutive game. Virginia Tech now has a 16-6 record, 5-4 in ACC play, the first time the team has been over .500 this season in ACC play. The Hokies host Miami at 2pm on Saturday in a big game against a talented, but injury-plagued, Hurricanes team. With a win, the Hokies can add another strong win to their improving resume.
Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
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