Charlottesville, VA. – Kihei Clark had 20 points and became Virginia’s career victories leader as a player with No. 111 as the No. 10 Cavaliers handed Virginia Tech its sixth straight loss, 78-68. Armaan Franklin added 15 points and Jayden Gardner 12 for the Cavaliers (14-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). Clark was tied with Mamadi Diane (2017-20) on the overall victories list and with 64 career Atlantic Coast Conference wins.
“We ran good offense and the guards made timely big baskets, but they put a lot of pressure on you. and I just thought there were some key plays -- all the guys that were in there did a good job. It was just --It was a really good game for us and I think for them too. there’s a lot of runs, but the guard certainly played well,” Cavaliers Head Coach Tony Bennett said.
Darius Maddox led the Hokies (11-7, 1-6) with 13 points and Grant Basile had 12. Virginia Tech’s losing streak has come after they won 11 of their first 12 games. The game marked the return of Hunter Cattoor, from injury. He played 34 minutes, scoring 11 points and adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. HOkies head coach Mike Young says Cattoor raises the play of everyone around him.
“The tide --he raises all of our ships, uh--along with Mutts. I don’t know how else to handle it, right? This is who I am. I’ve got incredible faith in that -- those kids. I’m not gonna get my ‘dauber’ down and pout all right, and peel the paint off the walls in there- OK? I’ve been doing this for 37 years. I’ve seen a lot of things,” Young explained.
The Hokies travel to Clemson next. The Cavaliers get a trip to Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are fresh off an upset over previously league unbeaten Clemson.