Dorenzo Hudson hit a right wing three-pointer at the buzzer as Virginia Tech downed Georgia Tech 74-73 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.  The Hokies are now 15-12 overall, with a 4-8 mark in ACC play.  Georgia Tech dropped to 9-17 and 2-10 in the conference.

[caption id="attachment_181569" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dorenzo Hudson was well-defended on this play but hit the game winner at the buzzer."][/caption]

Hudson's dramatic game-winner came just two days after the Hokies were beaten at the end of the game in Tallahassee.  Mfon Udofia's off balance shot in the lane gave Georgia Tech a 73-71 lead with just 5.4 seconds remaining, and it seemed as if Thursday night was repeating itself until Hudson's heroics.  Hudson had just five points in the game and was barely mentioned by the announcers until his clutch shot in front of the VT bench.

The Hokies called timeout with 3.5 seconds left and inbounded the ball from in front of their bench. Hudson passed the ball in to Jarell Eddie, who was double-teamed and almost lost the ball. Eddie managed to get the ball to Hudson just a few feet away on the right wing, and Hudson drained the open three-pointer at the buzzer for the win.

This was one of Virginia Tech's best offensive performances of the year, as well as one of their worst defensive performances.  Georgia Tech shot well over 50% from the field and over 50% from three-point range, despite suspending leading scorer Glen Rice, Jr. before the game.  The Hokies were missing Victor Davila again, but C.J. Barksdale returned and contributed eight points and four rebounds in 20 minutes while playing on a sprained ankle.

It was the outside shot that won this game for the Hokies.  They got numerous good looks against a Georgia Tech defense that ranked dead last in ACC play in three-point field goal percentage defense.  The Hokies went 11-of-20 from three-point range, and they came back from a rough night at the charity stripe against Florida State to go 15-of-19 from the line against the Yellow Jackets.

Despite being shorthanded, all eight of Virginia Tech's players made major contributions.

  • Erick Green: 14 points, four assists, two three-pointers
  • Cadarian Raines: 13 points in 37 minutes
  • Jarell Eddie: 12 points, four assists, two three-pointers, 6-of-6 from the free throw line
  • Robert Brown: 10 points, two three-pointers
  • Marquis Rankin: 6 points, two three-pointers
  • C.J. Barksdale: 8 points, 4 rebounds
  • Dorian Finney-Smith: 6 points, two three-pointers
  • Dorenzo Hudson: game-winning three-pointer

This was a team win in every sense of the phrase, despite the fact that the Hokies couldn't keep Georgia Tech out of the lane or away from the rim the entire game.  Seth Greenberg is going to be happy about the win, but you can bet he'll get his players some extra defensive work before Tuesday night's game with UVA.

The Hokies have had a dramatic week of basketball.  Last Sunday night they beat Boston College on a last second tip-in by Dorian Finney-Smith, on Thursday they lost at the last second, and today they beat Georgia Tech on a buzzer beating three-pointer in overtime.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Tuesday night, when they try to upset UVA for the second time this season.  Tip-off is scheduled for 9pm from Cassell Coliseum, and the game will be televised by ESPNU.

Box Score