AP

Murphy, Va. Tech build 28-point lead, hold off Pitt 76-71

Feb 5, 2022, 5:28 AM | Updated: 7:33 pm

Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young yells to his team as they play against Pittsburgh during the fi...

Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young yells to his team as they play against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)


              Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel adjusts his mask as his team plays against Virginia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Virginia Tech's Storm Murphy (5) shoots as Pittsburgh's John Hugley (23) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Pittsburgh's John Hugley (23) shoots after getting by Virginia Tech's Justyn Mutts (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Virginia Tech's Hunter Cattoor (0) defends as Pittsburgh's Jamarius Burton looks to pass the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Pittsburgh's Jamarius Burton (11) scores past Virginia Tech's Justyn Mutts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel, left, reacts as Femi Odukale (2) plays downcourt against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Pittsburgh's John Hugley (23) misses a dunk as Virginia Tech's David N'Guessan (1) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Pittsburgh's Ithiel Horton, top, and Virginia Tech's Nahiem Alleyne (4) battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
            
              Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young yells to his team as they play against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Storm Murphy scored 10 of his 20 points in the final 8 minutes and Justyn Mutts added 16 to help Virginia Tech, which blew most of a 28-point second-half lead, hold off Pittsburgh for a 76-71 win on Saturday night.

Nahiem Alleyne added 14 points for Virginia Tech (13-10, 5-7 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Hunter Cattoor hit a 3-pointer to give the Hokies a 52-24 lead — their biggest of the game — about 30 seconds into the second half, but Pitt (8-15, 3-9) scored 15 of the next 18 points and later used another 15-3 run to trim its deficit to six when Jamarius Burton made to free throws with 8:22 to play. Murphy answered with a 3 just 29 seconds later and added to layups before he hit 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead back into double figures with 46 seconds left.

Onyebuchi Ezeakudo hit a quick 3-pointer and after Alleyne missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Femi Odukale made another and then hit two free throws to make it 74-71 with 8 seconds to play. Storm made two foul shots to cap the scoring.

Odukale scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half and Burton finished with 21 — including 14 after halftime — for Pitt. Mouhamadou Gueye added 13 points.

The Hokies never trailed, scoring 10 straight points to take a 16-4 lead about 8 minutes in and used a 14-1 run to take a 27-point lead into the break. Seven different players made at least one of Virginia Tech’s 10 first-half 3-pointers — including three by Alleyne. Virginia Tech shot 75% (18 of 24) from the field in the first 20 minutes, setting a program record for a half against an ACC opponent.

Odukale hit 4 of 5 from behind the arc, and he and Burton combined to make 13 of 15 from the field as the Panthers shot 70.8% (17 of 24) in the second half. Pitt scored 20 points off 10 Virginia Tech turnovers after halftime.

The teams play again Monday in Blacksburg, Virginia.

___

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Murphy, Va. Tech build 28-point lead, hold off Pitt 76-71