Hokies Shock UVA At Home In A Thriller (2-1-25)

By: Ty Tracy

All Photo Credit: UVA Basketball 

Commonwealth rivalry as the Virginia Tech Hokies traveled up the road to take on the UVA Cavaliers in Charlottesville. As it’s an important win for both teams with only ten games left in the season heading into the Conference Tournament in March, knowing that the last three teams at the bottom of the ACC will be eliminated from Conference tournament play. As Hokies F Tobi Lawals and G Jaden Schutt combined for a total of 35 points beating their in-state rivals 75 to 74. The win was the Hokies’ first in Charlottesville since 2018 and their first back-to-back wins in the rivalry since 2010. They were both evenly matched the entire game. The Cavaliers defense had no answers for the Hokies offense as they shot for 52% on the field. 

Middle way in the second half the Hokies forced a 9-0 run against the Cavaliers creating a 69 to 56 lead with 6:32 left in the final quarter making their largest lead in the game. The Cavaliers started making a comeback cutting the lead from being down by 13 points now being down 75 to 72 with 45 seconds remaining after Andrew Rohde’s basket cut the deficit to a three-point game. In the final eight seconds of the game, Cavaliers’ Taine Murray grabbed a rebound, and Isaac McKneely was fouled before attempting a three. He made both free throws, but Mylyjael Poteat missed two on the other end. Cavaliers guard Andrew Rodhe missed the potential layup that could’ve won the game by the time big man Buchana tried to tip it back time was expired.

The Cavaliers had three players in double figures having Guard Issac McKneely lead the team with 19 points shooting 50% on the field and 77.7% on the free throw line making seven out of nine of his shots from the line. The Cavaliers will be on the road Monday as they play against Pittsburgh while the Hokies will have a three rest as they host SMU Wednesday night.