Lynn Kidd scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half as Virginia Tech blew open a tight game and walloped visiting archrival Virginia 75-41 on Monday in Blacksburg, Va.
Kidd shot 5-of-5 from the field and secured seven rebounds for the Hokies (15-11, 7-8 Atlantic Coast Conference), who led 16-14 before outsourcing the Cavaliers 20-2 over the first half’s final 9:42 to roll into the break with a 20-point cushion.
Tyler Nickel and Robbie Beran added 13 points apiece, with all of Beran’s points coming in the second half, as Virginia Tech led by as many as 36 points en route to its largest margin of victory over Virginia since 1961.
Isaac McKneely finished with 11 points for the Cavaliers (20-7, 11-5), who matched their lowest scoring output in a game this season. Virginia shot 32.7 percent from the field and was outscored 24-4 in points off turnovers as the Cavaliers lost in Blacksburg for the fourth straight time.
The game’s first five minutes were devoid of much rhythm as each team managed one field goal, with Kidd’s free throws giving the Hokies a 4-2 edge.
Virginia began to find success scoring in the paint, while Virginia Tech warmed up from outside the arc as the pace quickened.
Nickel drilled the Hokies’ third 3-pointer of the game before Jordan Minor answered with a layup to pull Virginia within 16-14.
The Cavaliers spiraled from there, going scoreless for the next 8:57 as the Hokies ripped off 20 straight points.
Sean Pedulla started the surge with a layup before Kidd scored eight straight points to push the lead to 26-14. Kidd finished the first half 4-of-4 from the field and grabbed five rebounds.
Nickel and MJ Collins each added jumpers, Mylyjael Poteat followed with a dunk and Hunter Cattoor connected from the top of the key for a 3-pointer that punctuated the Hokies’ surge with 1:02 left before the half.
Leon Bond III’s dunk with 46 seconds left ended the Cavaliers’ scoring drought and closed the first-half scoring at 36-16.
Virginia Tech shot 8-of-12 while stifling Virginia to a 1-of-10 clip over the first half’s final 9:15.
Kidd’s soaring two-handed jam down the lane capped the Hokies’ 7-0 run to open the second half. Virginia Tech shot 50.9 from the field overall to comfortably avenge its 65-57 road loss to the Cavaliers on Jan. 17.
–Field Level Media