Virginia Tech knocks Pittsburgh out of first place, 79-72

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Grant Basile posted his fourth straight recreation with 20 or extra factors, and Virginia Tech knocked Pittsburgh out of first place within the ACC with a 79-72 upset win on Saturday.

Pitt is now 12-4 in ACC play, in third place a full recreation behind first-place No. 11 Virginia and a half-game behind No. 15 Miami. The Panthers have 4 video games left within the common season, together with a regular-season finale at Miami.

Basile scored 13 factors within the first half because the Hokies constructed an 11-point lead at intermission. He completed with 22 factors, hitting 4 of 8 from past the 3-point arc and main 5 Hokies in double-figure scoring.

Pitt got here into the sport capturing 36% from lengthy vary however struggled from distance all recreation. The Panthers had been simply 3 of 18 from 3-point vary, 2 of 12 within the second half.

Mylyjael Poteat got here off the bench to attain 15 factors and seize six rebounds for Virginia Tech (16-11, 6-10). Justyn Mutts, Sean Pedulla, and Hunter Cattoor every added 12 factors. The Hokies completed with 17 assists on 25 made baskets and scored 40 of their 79 factors within the paint.

Jamariu Burton scored 15 factors to steer Pitt (19-8, 12-4). Fede Federiko had 12 factors and Nelly Cummings and Greg Ellott every contributed 11.

Virginia Tech, which already owns a 74-68 win over Virginia, performs host to Miami on Tuesday. Pitt performs host to Georgia Tech on Tuesday.