KEY POINTS
- Tobi Lawal led the Hokies with 20 points as Virginia Tech secured a 72-63 home win.
- Neoklis Avdalas provided a spark from deep, contributing 15 points on four three-pointers.
- Head coach Mike Young tied the record for career ACC victories with his 61st conference win.
Virginia Tech concluded its regular-season home schedule with a controlled 72-63 victory over Boston College on Tuesday night. Playing at Cassell Coliseum, the Hokies maintained the lead from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The win improved Virginia Tech’s season record to 19-11 and moved them to 8-9 in ACC play. This performance provided a much-needed momentum boost heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The Hokies established their dominance early through an aggressive long-range shooting attack. Neoklis Avdalas set the tone by connecting on a transition three-pointer in the game’s opening minutes. Avdalas continued his hot streak throughout the first half, finishing the night with 15 points and four successful three-pointers. His perimeter scoring forced the Boston College defense to extend, creating valuable space for the Hokies’ frontcourt.
Tobi Lawal served as the primary interior force for Virginia Tech, particularly during the second half. Lawal scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the final 20 minutes of regulation. His ability to finish at the rim and secure critical rebounds prevented Boston College from mounting a serious comeback. Lawal’s performance marked his eleventh double-digit scoring outing against conference opponents this season.
Boston College struggled to keep pace despite a career-high performance from forward Boden Kapke. Kapke led the Eagles with 25 points and eight rebounds, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the team’s total offense. While Boston College managed to cut the deficit to six points on multiple occasions, they never managed to overtake the Hokies. The Eagles fell to 10-20 overall and 3-14 in conference play with the loss.
The Hokies’ defense proved effective in limiting Boston College’s secondary scoring options. Amani Hansberry and Lawal anchored the paint, combining for 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. Hansberry added 11 points of his own, marking his fifth consecutive game reaching double figures. Virginia Tech’s defensive discipline allowed them to weather several short scoring bursts from the visiting Eagles.
A significant milestone was reached on the sidelines as Mike Young tied the record for career ACC wins. With 61 conference victories, Young now shares the top spot in program history for league wins. The achievement adds to the celebratory atmosphere of the team’s final home appearance of the year. Young’s leadership has been a stabilizing factor for the Hokies during a competitive ACC campaign.
Virginia Tech’s accuracy from beyond the arc was a deciding factor in the final box score. The team connected on 11 of their 24 attempts from three-point range, shooting nearly 46 percent as a unit. Five different Hokies shot at least 40 percent from deep during the contest. This balanced offensive approach made it difficult for Boston College to focus their defensive efforts on any single player.
Looking ahead, the Hokies will wrap up the regular season with a high-stakes rivalry game against No. 13 Virginia. That matchup is scheduled for Saturday at noon and will be televised nationally. Boston College will look to find a silver lining in Kapke’s breakout performance as they prepare for the ACC Tournament. Both teams are now focused on securing the best possible seeding for the postseason.
