SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Virginia Tech needed every bit of Ben Hammond's career night Tuesday evening, but when its leading scorer fouled out at the end of regulation, Jaylen Curry made sure the Hokies wouldn't leave empty-handed.
Behind a career-high 32 points from Hammond and nine overtime points from Curry, Virginia Tech outlasted Iowa 93-88 in a back-and-forth contest at the Tyson Events Center, improving to 3-0 on the young season.
Hammond finished 9-for-16 from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while converting all 11 of his free-throw attempts. The junior guard also contributed five rebounds and four assists before fouling out with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
Curry added 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting, scoring 23 of those points after halftime. The senior guard also surpassed 1,000 career points in the victory.
Virginia Tech controlled much of the opening half, jumping ahead 19-11 following a Hammond 3-pointer with 10:58 remaining. However, Iowa responded behind Cooper Koch, who entered the contest having scored just 15 combined points through the Hawkeyes' first two games.
Koch scored 14 first-half points, helping Iowa erase its early deficit and eventually take the lead. Hammond responded by scoring Virginia Tech's final seven points of the period, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that sent the Hokies into the locker room ahead 41-40.
The second half featured several momentum swings, with neither team able to establish a comfortable advantage.
Iowa took a 72-69 lead with 6:27 remaining before Hammond answered with another 3-pointer to even the score. The Hokies continued battling through foul trouble, having already lost starting center Miles Heide, who finished with one point and three rebounds in just 10 minutes.
Hammond briefly put Virginia Tech ahead 76-75 with a driving basket at the 1:51 mark, but Iowa answered to regain control.
Curry then converted a layup with 1:04 remaining to tie the contest at 78.
The closing seconds of regulation nearly proved disastrous for Virginia Tech.
After drawing a foul, Curry, a career 71% free-throw shooter entering the contest, converted just one of three attempts during a crucial late trip to the line. Although his lone make gave Virginia Tech a 79-78 advantage, the missed opportunities left Iowa with a chance to steal the game.
With 1.4 seconds remaining, Hammond committed his fifth foul against Iowa's Ty'Reek Coleman, sending the Hawkeyes guard to the charity stripe with an opportunity to win the game.
Coleman converted his first attempt but missed the second, forcing overtime with the score tied at 79.
Despite losing its leading scorer, Virginia Tech wasted little time establishing control in the extra period.
Curry scored the Hokies' first five overtime points, beginning with a layup before connecting on a crucial 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining to give Virginia Tech an 84-80 advantage.
The Hawkeyes refused to go away, but Virginia Tech continued finding answers offensively. Isaiah Elohim knocked down two important free throws, while Curry added another basket in the paint.
With Virginia Tech protecting a narrow lead in the closing seconds, Iowa had one final opportunity to extend the contest.
Koch, who finished with a career-high 26 points, missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Curry then converted two free throws to seal the five-point victory.
Curry accounted for nine of Virginia Tech's 14 overtime points, completing an impressive turnaround after his missed free throws nearly cost the Hokies the game in regulation.
Beyond Hammond and Curry, Amani Hansberry contributed 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting, while Elohim finished with 12 points and six rebounds.
Virginia Tech shot an efficient 53.6% from the field, converting 30 of its 56 attempts, including 7-for-18 from beyond the arc. The Hokies also finished 26-for-33 at the free-throw line.
However, rebounding and foul trouble remained significant concerns.
Iowa dominated the glass, outrebounding Virginia Tech 40-26, including an 18-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Hawkeyes also attempted 47 free throws, converting 31, while the Hokies committed 30 personal fouls.
Koch led Iowa (2-1) with 26 points and seven rebounds, shooting 15-for-17 from the free-throw line. Coleman added 20 points off the bench, while Isaia Howard contributed a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Despite those disadvantages, Virginia Tech's backcourt proved too much for the Hawkeyes, with Hammond and Curry combining for 57 points.
The victory gives head coach Mike Young's squad an early-season win over a Big Ten opponent and keeps the Hokies unbeaten through three games.
Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 13, hosting Mount St. Mary's at 7 p.m. ET.
