Orange Spin Out, Hokies Close Out

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team returned home to host the Virginia Tech Hokies after an 81-73 road loss in overtime to the Boston College Eagles.

Unlike Syracuse, Virginia Tech was coming off of a win, 89-76 at home versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

This match-up between the Orange and Hokies served as the 22nd chapter between the two teams, with the Orange holding the advantage, 13-8.

The last four games have been split 2-2, with the Hokies winning the last contest, 101-95, in overtime on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Blacksburg, Virginia.

In this 22nd chapter, Virginia Tech started things off with a layup from freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas.

Syracuse responded with a score on their first possession as well, this a three from redshirt-senior guard Nate Kingz.

There would be seven lead changes between the 19:20 (when Kingz made the opening three) and 15:29 marks.

At the 7:45 mark, true freshman guard Kiyan Anthony would call for a screen and shoot from the top of the key, making the three and getting a free-throw opportunity. After missing the freebie, the score was 26-22 Orange.

A dunk by senior forward William Kyle, III, would give Syracuse the first double-digit lead of the night, up 37-27, with 2:59 left before halftime.

At the break, it was 37-30 Orange.

The Hokies began the second half on a 12-8 run that brought them within one possession of the Orange, down 45-42.

Just inside 12 minutes remaining, junior guard Jaden Schutt would connect from the left side to tie the game at 45 with a long ball at the 11:54 mark.

Following Virginia Tech sophomore guard Ben Hammond going 1-for-2 at the line, Syracuse junior guard Naithan George looked inside to true freshman forward Sadiq White, Jr., who slammed it home to give the Orange a 47-46 lead.

White would give Syracuse a one-point lead again shortly after... on yet another slam, making it 49-48 for the home team.

Hokies' senior forward Tobi Lawal would go 1-for-2 at the charity stripe to tie the game again, at 49-apiece.

From there, Virginia Tech would go on a 10-4 run to rise to a 59-53 lead inside six minutes remaining.

A very light viewing audience in the Dome got even lighter before the conclusion of the game, leaving what looked to be maybe a couple thousand fans remaining.

But just inside 40 seconds, sophomore forward Donnie Freeman stole the ball from Schutt and laid it home to get the Orange within one possession, down 70-67.

Following two free throws by Lawal, Syracuse senior guard J.J. Starling went to the rim and made it a one-score game one again, this time at 72-69 Virginia Tech.

Avdalas would turn the ball over, but Kingz of the Orange would miss the tying three-point try. After this Syracuse miss, Avdalas would get fouled and go 1-for-2 at the line.

Starling would go to the rim uncontested as Syracuse got within two, down 73-71, with seven seconds to go.

At the six-second mark, Avdalas went 1-for-2 to give the Hokies a three-point lead. The second miss would be rebounded by Lawal and he would be fouled, going 2-for-2 to move the score to 76-71 Virginia Tech.

George beat the buzzer with a three. However, it was not enough as the Orange fell 76-74 to the visiting Hokies, placing Syracuse at 12-7 overall and 3-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The victory advanced Virginia Tech to 15-5 overall and 4-3 in the ACC.

Hammond led the winning Hokies' squad with 24 points, followed by Lawal with 16, and Avdalas and junior forward Amani Hansberry each having 10.

Starling led the Orange with 12 points, followed by Kingz and White with 11, and Kyle and Freeman both recording 10 points.