NC State vs. Virginia Tech: A High-Stakes Clash

The NC State Wolfpack and the Virginia Tech Hokies recently locked horns in an electrifying men’s basketball encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game, held on January 15, 2025, saw Virginia Tech narrowly edging out NC State with a final score of 79-76.

Game Highlights

Jaden Schutt’s Crucial Free Throws: As the ticking clock wound down with just 2.3 seconds left, reserve player Jaden Schutt made two decisive free throws to give Virginia Tech the lead.
Ben Burnham’s Clutch Performance: Burnham not only scored significant points but also made a game-changing steal off NC State’s inbound pass, culminating in a dramatic dunk.
Turnaround Performance: At the interval, NC State led 45-34, but Virginia Tech outscored them 45-31 in the second half to clinch the victory.
Standout Players: Virginia Tech’s Tobi Lawal delivered an impressive performance with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Schutt also contributed with 17 points, and Burnham added 12 points to the scoreboard. For NC State, Jayden Taylor led the effort with 17 points.

Season Record

This victory marked Virginia Tech’s second consecutive win, bringing their season record to 8-9 overall, 3-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, NC State’s record stands at 9-8 overall, 2-4 in conference play.

Implications for the Season

For both teams, this game was a crucial part of their season:

Virginia Tech: With this win, the Hokies demonstrated their ability to rally from a deficit and close out games under pressure, an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.
NC State: Despite the loss, the Wolfpack showed resilience and potential to bounce back. Their performance in the first half was dominant, and they will look to build on that as the season progresses.

What’s Next?

Both teams will continue to strive for a spot in the NCAA Tournament as they advance through the season. Virginia Tech's upcoming game against Wake Forest will further test their mettle, while NC State will aim to recover from their recent setbacks in their next match against California.