02/21/26 01:21:00
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02/21 13:18 CST Avdalas and Lawal each score 17 points as Virginia Tech beats
Wake Forest 82-63
Avdalas and Lawal each score 17 points as Virginia Tech beats Wake Forest 82-63
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) --- Neoklis Avdalas and Tobi Lawal each scored 17 points
and Virginia Tech pulled away in the second half for an 82-63 win over Wake
Forest on Saturday.
The Hokies (18-10, 7-8 ACC) shot 51% from the field and led 43-33 at halftime,
snapping a two-game skid while handing the Demon Deacons their first loss in
four games. Lawal finished 7 of 11 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, while
Amani Hansberry added 13 points and Ben Hammond finished with 12 points and
five assists. Avaldas had seven assists.
Wake Forest (14-13, 5-9) trimmed the deficit to eight early in the second half,
but Virginia Tech answered with a decisive run. A 3-pointer by Avdalas sparked
a stretch that included back-to-back 3s from Hansberry and Jailen Bedford,
pushing the lead to 61-45 with 11:25 remaining. The margin never dropped below
16 the rest of the way.
Christian Gurdak provided a key lift off the bench, scoring 10 points on 5 of 5
shooting. The Hokies had six players finish in double-digits.
Juke Harris led Wake Forest with 16 points, Tre'Von Spillers added 12 points
and seven rebounds and Cooper Schwieger scored 10. The Demon Deacons shot 38%
from the field and 6 of 30 from 3-point range after opening the game 4-for-4
from distance.
The 19-point margin marked Virginia Tech's largest ACC victory since February
2024.
Up Next
Wake Forest: at Boston College on Tuesday.
Virginia Tech: at No. 16 North Carolina next Saturday.
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