NCAAMB Games of the Night: December 31

21 VIRGINIA AT VIRGINIA TECH

Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images

What a way to kick off ACC play! Blacksburg, Virginia on the campus of Virginia Tech University was the location of the first triple overtime game of the school's storied rivalry. The Virginia Tech Hokies snagged their conference opener against in-state rival Virginia, 95-85, in a triple overtime thriller.

A game full of ties and lead changes was not always like that. The first half consisted of one tie and two lead changes, as Virginia Tech led for nearly 14 minutes. But Virginia closed the half on a 12-5 to take a one point lead into the second half.

In the second half, the fight for the lead began. The game was a one possession game throughout the half, apart from two moments where Virginia and Virginia Tech were each up by four.

Both teams had several chances throughout the closing seconds of the periods to end the game. To end the second half with the game tied at 55, graduate student forward David Tillis was rejected at the rim with five seconds left. The Hokies put the ball in the hands of their hot hand sophomore guard Ben Hammond, who missed a running floater to send the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, there were three clutch threes made, which resulted in three lead changes. The last three of the half was made by freshman guard Chance Mallory. Mallory drilled the three with the shot clock winding down to give Virginia a two point lead with a minute left in the period.

After Virginia Tech tied the game 68 with 4 seconds left in the first overtime. Freshman forward Thijs De Ridder had an opportunity to close the game, but lost track of the time. Instead of getting to the three point line for a higher percentage shot, the freshman took an ill-advised half court shot. The De Ridder mishap would send the game to double overtime.

In the second overtime period, Virginia Tech would have a five point lead with 14 seconds left. Ben Hammond, who finished with a career-high 30 points in the victory, had a rare blunder by fouling a driving Malik Thomas with nine seconds left. Thomas would finish through contact and finish the three point play at the free throw line to cut the Virginia Tech lead to two. Thomas was not finished either.

The Fontana, CA native drilled a three to make it a two point game with four seconds. He would contribute to the game going to a third overtime period. Down by 78-76 with 3.6 seconds left, Virginia got the ball down the floor and gave Harris an opportunity to tie the game at 78. Harris’ air ball was caught and put in by Chance Mallory to send the game to a third overtime period. Mallory finished his ACC debut with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

The third overtime period is where the Hokies pulled away. The Hokies were led by Ben Hammond, who scored 10 of his 30 points in the third overtime period. The Manassas, Virginia native also added five assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block.

The Hokie frontcourt also had huge games in the victory. Junior Amani Hansberry and freshman Christian Gurdak each had double doubles in the 95-85 victory of the Cavaliers.

Key to Victory: Ben Hammond

Hammond has been the Hokies best scorer right off the bench all season, but on Wednesday night his all around game was on full display. The most impressive stat is that Hammond went 16-18 from the free throw line, including 9-11 in the game overtime periods.

Next for the Hokies:

Saturday, January 3 at Wake Forest Demon Deacons 12 PM EST

Next for the Cavaliers:

Saturday, January 3 at North Carolina State Wolfpack at 11 AM EST

DePAUL AT VILLANOVA

Photo by Villanova Athletics

The Villanova Wildcats kick off their home Big East opener against the DePaul Blue Demons Wednesday night. Villanova has won their last six games against DePaul with an average point margin of 21.

Wednesday night, the Blue Demons gave the Wildcats a run for their money, even having the lead with under six minutes left in the game. But Villanova pulled it out, draining their last six free throw attempts, defeating DePaul 71-66.

The first half was close, but was mainly controlled by DePaul. They held the lead for the last 14:45 of the half. DePaul senior guard CJ Gunn scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half to lead the Blue Demons in scoring.

They also guarded the perimeter well in the first half. Villanova, who is first in team three point percentage, and second in three pointers made in the Big East went 3-11 in the first half from beyond the arch. That would change in the second half.

Just like the first half, the Wildcats opened up the second half on a Tyler Perkins three pointer. That would be one of seven threes that the Wildcats would make in the second half. They would make six of their last seven attempts from three en route to a ten point comeback.

Villanova guards Bryce Lindsay and Tyler Perkins each scored 19 a piece in the comeback.

Key to Victory: Second half run

The Wildcats went on a 20-4 run in the second half to grab their first lead since the first five minutes of the first half.

Next for the Wildcats:

Saturday, January 3 at Butler Bulldogs at 12 PM EST

Next for the Blue Demons:

Saturday, January 3 vs Xavier Musketeers at 2 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)