Coming off a third devastating loss in ACC play on Wednesday at SMU, it was going to be interesting to see how the Hokies would respond against Notre Dame at home on Saturday afternoon. Boopie Miller's heave at the buzzer could have had long-lasting effects on the Hokies.
Virginia Tech built a 45-34 halftime lead over the Irish and kept them at bay in the second half to pull away and post a huge bounce-back win over Notre Dame at Cassell Coliseum. Here are three takeaways after the Hokies improved to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the ACC. The Irish fell to 10-8 overall and 1-4 in the ACC.
Tobi Lawal & Amani Hansberry dominate on the inside
If there has been one consistent player this season, it's been West Virginia transfer Amani Hansberry. Against Notre Dame, he again eclipsed the 20-point plateau with 21 and six rebounds. He had nine points from the free throw line. Four of his six rebounds were on the offensive end.
As for Tobi Lawal, he again came off the bench, and he was again tough for the Hokies' opponent to handle. He lived at the free throw line, scoring 14 of his 22 points from the stripe and had another double-double with 11 rebounds. He continues to work his way back from his injury; all Virginia Tech needs to do is get Tyler Johnson back healthy.
Ben Hammond continues to play very well
As good as Hansberry has been, and he's been the best player for Virginia Tech at times this year, Ben Hammond has been great. He was again against the Irish, finishing with 16 points in 33 minutes, running the point.
The sophomore's all-around game has improved, and he knocked down three of his six 3-pointers Saturday and finished 6-for-11 from the field. He made a nice move to get into the lane in the second half and finished with a floater. He had two steals, and his overall numbers are not going to show it, but his value to Mike Young has been huge this year.
Virginia Tech makes their free throws
Free throws are free points and easy shots. Not for the Hokies this season. Free-throw shooting has cost the Hokies in their three ACC losses this year, and that was the case against the Mustangs. Make them, and you win. Against the Irish, they made sure the game was over early in the second half at the free-throw line.
Virginia Tech finished 28-for-32 from the free-throw line, which is good to see after their recent struggles to close out games. Amani Hansberry was a perfect 9-for-9, and Lawal lived at the line, going 13-for-16.