Tech Takeaways: A look back at the Hokies’ 78-75 win over Duke

BLACKSBURG – After a tough run of seven games, including five decided by five points or less, Virginia Tech regained its rightful spot in the win column on Monday night. Grant Basile shined with 24 points and MJ Collins came up clutch down the stretch to propel the Hokies to a much-needed 78-75 victory.

BASILE BALL

• Transfer Grant Basile has been playing great ball in Virginia Tech’s last four games, averaging 18.8 points and seven boards in that span.
• Matched up against five-time ACC Rookie of the Week Kyle Filipowski for most of the night, Basile had potentially his most impressive outing of the season given the circumstances. Shooting 10-15 (66.6%) from the field, he eclipsed 10 field goals made for the 10th time in his career.
• Last night marked back-to-back games for Basile with eight rebounds. The Hokies are 5-2 when Basile hauls in at least eight boards.

CLUTCH COLLINS

• MJ Collins’ six points and five rebounds won’t go down as the most memorable stat line, but the freshman’s performance was vital in Tech’s winning effort.
• Collins came in at the 15:50 minute mark in the second half and saw out the rest of the game. It was in this timespan that he scored all six points and brought in four of five boards.
• The game-clinching sequence came in the final 13 seconds when Collins hit a go-ahead jumper, then secured the rebound on Duke’s 3-point effort to take the lead with six seconds remaining. Collins then hit one of two free throws to make it a three point game.

PROTECTING THE CASSELL

• Virginia Tech is 5-1 against Duke inside Cassell Coliseum since the start of the 2016-17 season. 
• The 83% win percentage at home against the Blue Devils is the best of any ACC program. North Carolina has the next most wins at home against Duke, going 4-2 in the six-year span.
• Four of the five wins have come by single digits, including three by five points or less.