Virginia Tech holds off Notre Dame for 67-64 win, stays alive in ACC Tournament

Virginia Tech is still dancing.

The Hokies, a year removed from 4 wins in 4 days to claim the school’s first ACC title, defeated Notre Dame 67-64 Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the ACC Tournament. The win also officially ended what has been an illustrious career for Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey, who won’t be back with the Fighting Irish next season.

Virginia Tech trailed by 4 points with 2:08 to play in the game after a jumper from Notre Dame guard Marcus Hammond. Hammond put up a game-high 23 points on 16 shots.

But from then on it was all VT. Tech hit its final 4 shots from the floor. Notre Dame missed each of its final 4.

Rodney Rice answered Hammond’s jumper almost immediately with a triple — his only points of the game. Tech forced a long miss and a turnover on Notre Dame’s next 2 possessions before Justyn Mutts’ layup gave the Hokies a 63-62 lead with 1:02 to play.

With 30 seconds to play and the game tied, Mutts curled off a back screen from Hunter Cattoor for an emphatic slam to give VT the lead with a little flavor.

Notre Dame’s  Cormac Ryan was able to g

et into the lane, but his running lefty scoop shot fell short and Virginia Tech secured the rebound. Sean Pedulla knocked down 1 of 2 at the foul line for a 3-point lead.

Down to one final chance, the Fighting Irish were able to create a pretty decent wing look from 3 for Nate Laszewski, but it rimmed out and the Hokies started celebrating.

Mutts finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists. Pedulla added 13 points and Cattoor 11.

Virginia Tech was led by 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from Grant Basile. He had 12 in the second half, including a personal 6-0 run over a 3-minute stretch late that kept Virginia Tech neck-and-neck.

With the win, the Hokies will now face No. 6 seed NC State on Wednesday. Tip-off on ESPN2 is set for 9:30 p.m. ET.