BLACKSBURG, Va. — Chucky Hepburn made a significant contribution with 15 points, leading No. 19 Louisville to triumph over Virginia Tech with a final score of 71-66 in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Tuesday night.
Hepburn had a challenging night shooting, making only 5 of his 12 attempts from the field, but he compensated by being flawless at the free-throw line, going 4 for 4, and chipping in six assists for the Cardinals.
The team has now secured their sixth consecutive victory, boasting a stellar record of 22-6 overall, and 15-2 in the conference, marking a remarkable run with 16 wins in their last 17 outings.
Virginia Tech’s offensive efforts were spearheaded by Brandon Rechsteiner, who scored 18 points for the Hokies, now struggling with a 12-16 record overall and 7-10 in conference play.
During an intense match, Louisville surged ahead by as much as 11 points in the second half and managed to maintain their lead throughout, although Virginia Tech narrowed the gap to just one point when Rechsteiner made a crucial short jumper with 1:49 left on the clock.
However, the Hokies faltered at the finish line, failing to score again and turning the ball over twice in their final three possessions.
Louisville secured their victory with a decisive dunk from James Scott and two clutch free throws by Reyne Smith in the last minute.
James Scott and Terrence Edwards Jr. both contributed 13 points each to boost the Cardinals’ performance, who capitalized on Virginia Tech’s carelessness with the ball, forcing 22 turnovers.
The victory highlighted Louisville’s surprising and impressive season in the ACC, as it marked their ninth road win and kept their dreams alive for securing the top seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament.
The Cardinals are scheduled to play their remaining three regular-season games at home, each presenting a viable opportunity to finish strong.
In contrast, Virginia Tech faces a daunting challenge as their recent string of losses, including three out of their last four games, has put them on the brink of experiencing their first losing season in a decade unless they find a late-season spark.
The critical moment in the game came when Scott grabbed a crucial offensive rebound off a missed shot by Hepburn and executed a powerful dunk, solidifying Louisville’s lead with just under a minute remaining.
Additionally, the sheer volume of turnovers from Virginia Tech proved costly, as Louisville was able to capitalize by scoring 26 points off these errors, turning these opportunities into game-winning advantages.
Looking ahead, Louisville will host Pittsburgh on Saturday, aiming to continue their winning streak, while Virginia Tech prepares to welcome Syracuse to their home court on the same day.
