FSU sputters in 2nd half
Bishop Moore alum Cattoor’s 27 points power Virginia Tech
TALLAHASSEE — Bishop Moore alum Hunter Cattoor scored a career-high 27 points — all on a school-record tying nine 3-pointers — while Sean Pedulla scored 21 points with six 3-pointers of his own as Virginia Tech defeated Florida State 85-72 on Saturday.
In a game in which there were 5 ties and 8 lead changes, the score was especially tight in the second half until Cattoor hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 68-60 Hokies lead with 6:41 remaining. After Florida State called timeout, the Hokies forced a turnover, Justyn Mutts turned it into 2 points, and Cattoor hit 2 more 3-pointers for a 16-point lead.
The loss was Florida State’s second ACC home setback this year, significant because the Seminoles entered the season with a near-ACC record 25-game conference winning streak at home. Virginia Tech’s last win in Tallahassee was on Feb. 24 1990 — a span of 12 losses.
“I think with about 7, a little under 8 minutes to go, we were within striking distance,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. “I think it was a 2-point game. That’s when I thought fatigue set in, and we just didn’t have enough energy there to play the way that we’ve been accustomed to playing. When they scored 4 3-pointers and a 2, I thought they kind of broke our back.”
Pedulla, a backup freshman guard, blew past his season highs of 11 points and three 3-pointers, making 6 of 7. Mutts added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Keve Aluma, the Hokies’ leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, had 4 fouls, attempted only 4 shots and scored 4 points.
Anthony Polite had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for the Seminoles (13-7, 6-4 ACC).
Naheem McLeod added 15 points and Matthew Cleveland scored 10.
Pedulla and Cattoor combined to make 8 of 10 3-pointers in the first half, leading the Hokies (11-10, 3-7) to a 39-31 lead at the break. Virginia Tech trailed 17-9 before scoring its next 12 points on 3-pointers, 3 by Pedulla and 1 by Cattoor. Once Virginia Tech drew even, the onslaught continued and Pedulla finished the half 5-for-5 on 3-pointers while Cattoor made 3of5.
Florida State opened the second half with an 11-3 run but Cattoor would go on to hit 6 of his 3-pointers as the Hokies finished with 18
in 25 attempts. Florida State was 5-of-13 from distance.