Looking to pick up another road win, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team rallied in both the first and second halves to lead South Bend with a huge, 65-63, ACC win over Notre Dame on Saturday. Down by 14 points in the first half, the Hokies clawed their way back to get within a point before the Iris closed the half on a 6-0 run. In the second half, tough defense and timely baskets were the difference to rally past the Irish to improve to 6-7 in the ACC.
It was a big road win and the fourth since the calendar turned to 2025 for Mike Young's team and this one may be the most impressive considering the comeback they had. Following the game, here are some of the quotes Young had about his team.
Mike Young on his team rallying in both half's from deficits
"Great win,'' said Young to the Virginia Tech Sports Network. "Man, what a terrible start to both halves. Got down 14 in the first (half), came all the way back battled. At the half down seven, Tobi (Lawal) missed two foul shots, we missed a couple of good shots, but couldn't get anything going. I don't think we went down more than nine in the second half and here we come with timely shots, excellent, excellent defense.''
Earlier this season, this Hokies' team would not have battled back the way they did in both halves to come back. It just shows the growth they have been making since ACC play began.
Mike Young on holding Notre Dame to 39% from the field
"To come up here against Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry and hold the Fighting Irish to 39% from the field is certainly a step in the right direction for our team,'' said Young. "Proud of our basketball team.''
Burton was going to get his points and he did finishing with 23 points, but Shrewsberry finished with no points which was not something anyone saw coming. Tae Davis was the only other Notre Dame player to finish in double figures with 18. What a defensive performance on the road for the Hokies.
Mike Young on Brandon Rechsteiner's second half
"Brandon did a great job of moving his feet, not fouling, Burton gets to the line a lot,'' Young said. "Rechsteiner was probably the player of the game for us, he did a really nice job with his foul shots going down the stretch, which were certainly huge.''
His defense was good, he made a couple of timely jumpers, but it was indeed his foul shooting down the stretch that sealed the win. In wins over California and Virginia on the road this year, foul shooting almost cost them, but Rechsteiner made sure that it wouldn't happen against Notre Dame.