Hokies reach ESPN Events Invitational final
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Hunter Cattoor scored 18 points and Sean Pedulla had 17 to lead Virginia Tech to a 71-62 win over Iowa State on Friday and into the championship game of the ESPN Events Invitational.
The Hokies (5-1) will take on No. 19 FAU in Sunday’s title game, while the Cyclones (5-1) play No. 12 Texas A&M.
Virginia Tech led the entire second half and by as many as 11 points, but the Cyclones got within two with 4 ½ minutes to go on Robert Jones’ 3-pointer.
The Hokies scored the next five points from the line and Pedulla hit 3-pointers 45 seconds apart, the second coming with 1:10 to go for an eight-point lead.
Pedulla made five 3-pointers and Cattoor, who fouled out with 1:40 to go, hit three.
Lynn Kidd added 13 points and Tyler Nickel 10.
Virginia Tech was 11 of 28 from the arc and 20 of 23 from the free-throw line.
Milan Momcilovic scored a career-high 21 points, Tamin Lipsey had 18 and Tre King 10 for Iowa State.
Virginia Tech grabbed the lead for good with a 15-2 run that started with a pair of Cattoor 3-pointers with eight minutes left in the first half.
The Hokies led 40-30 at halftime.
Late Thursday Virginia Tech 82, Boise State 75:
Hunter Cattoor and Lynn Kidd had 19 points apiece, Sean Pedulla scored 18 and Virginia Tech outlasted Boise State.
Cattoor sank 5 of 10 shots from 3-point range and hit 4 of 5 free throws for the Hokies (4-1). Kidd made 6 of 8 shots and all seven of his foul shots, adding six rebounds. Pedulla had seven assists and six rebounds. Tyler Nickel pitched in with 14 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Tyson Degenhart paced the Broncos (2-2) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Chibuzo Agbo totaled 15 points and nine boards. O’Mar Stanley hit both of his 3-point tries and scored 13 off the bench. Max Rice scored 12, but he had six of Boise State’s 16 turnovers.
Cattoor had 12 points and Kidd scored 11 to help Virginia Tech take a 44-41 lead at halftime. Degenhart scored 11 to keep Boise State close. The Hokies built their halftime advantage by sinking 12 of 13 free throws, while the Broncos made 2 of 4.
Agbo hit a 3-pointer and followed with a layup to give Boise State a 52-49 lead with 15:07 left to play. Tyler Nickel sank the second of two free throws to give the Hokies a 61-60 lead with 8:04 remaining, Kidd followed with two free throws and a dunk and Virginia Tech stayed in front from there.
Virginia Tech shot 47.3% overall to Boise State’s 47.4%. The Hokies shot 38.9% from distance to the Broncos’ 38.1%. The Hokies finished 23 for 27 at the foul line, while Boise State made 13 of 16.