BLACKSBURG, Va. — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Virginia Tech’s Jaden Schutt contributed significantly off the bench, scoring 17 points and sinking two crucial free throws with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the game. His efforts propelled the Hokies to a dramatic 79-76 victory over North Carolina State, markinga strong comeback in the final minutes.

Following Schutt’s go-ahead free throws that put Virginia Tech ahead 77-76, the Wolfpack’s Ben Middlebrooks attempted to inbound the ball. However, Ben Burnham intercepted the pass, sprinted down the court, and capped off the game with an emphatic dunk as the buzzer sounded, sealing the win for the Hokies.

With the game in its final moments, Schutt experienced a setback when his three-point attempt missed its mark while Virginia Tech trailed 76-75. In the ensuing chaos for the loose ball, Marcus Hill fouled Schutt, sending him to the charity stripe where he made the critical free throws that gave Virginia Tech the decisive edge.

N.C. State initially seized control of the game when Jayden Taylor completed a three-point play, extending the Wolfpack’s lead to 60-45 with about 13 minutes remaining in the second half. In response, Virginia Tech surged back, outscoring N.C. State 34-16 in the closing stretch to secure the victory.

At halftime, N.C. State led by a score of 45-34, but the second half proved challenging for them as they struggled to maintain their advantage. Tobi Lawal emerged as a standout player for Virginia Tech, leading the team with 22 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance, alongside 11 rebounds. Schutt’s 6-of-10 shooting and Burnham’s 12 points also contributed to the team’s success.

For N.C. State, Jayden Taylor was a significant player as well, finishing with 17 points, while Middlebrooks and Hill added 13 and 12 points, respectively. This loss marked the Wolfpack’s fourth in five games as they prepare to face California in their next contest. On the other hand, Virginia Tech looks to continue their winning momentum when they host Wake Forest on Saturday.