Ben Hammond scored 16 points and connected on the game-winning layup as Virginia Tech beat South Carolina 86-83 in overtime Tuesday night in Columbia, South Carolina.
Hammond, who shot 5 of 9 from the floor and dished out two assists, saw his up-and-down attempt kiss the glass and fall through the hoop with 13 seconds left.
Amani Hansberry, who added a free throw in the game’s final moments to extend Virginia Tech’s lead, paced the Hokies (7-2) with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jaden Schutt added 12 points.
Meechie Johnson scored 18 points for South Carolina (5-3), Mike Sharavjamts scored 14 and Kobe Knox scored 11.
After the Gamecocks scored the first point, the Hokies took the lead with a 14-4 run and held that lead for over 30 minutes. That stretch was highlighted by a one-handed jam from Hansberry on a fast break.
South Carolina finally fought back and took the lead for the second time all game with 3:44 left in regulation. Sharavjamts capped a 7-0 run by tipping in Johnson’s miss while being fouled and sinking the free throw for a 3-point play.
Virginia Tech tied the game late and the Gamecocks had a chance to win it in regulation, but were forced into a shot clock violation by the Hokies defense.
Virginia Tech dominated in the paint, outscoring South Carolina 54-30 inside. The Gamecocks couldn’t counter from 3-point land and shot just 8 of 30 from deep.
Senior forward Tobi Lawal missed his third straight game for Virginia Tech and wore a walking boot on the bench. On the Hokies’ pregame radio show, coach Mike Young said Lawal, who averages 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, would be out “for the foreseeable future.”
Virginia Tech’s win is a solid resume booster for the ACC, as the SEC won 14 of 16 matchups in the annual inter-conference challenge last season.
–Field level media
