Virginia Tech Edges Pack In OT

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BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech erased a 14-point second-half deficit to hang on in overtime against the NC State men's basketball team 73-68 on Saturday. The loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Pack (10-4). It was the league opener for both teams.

Anthony 'Cat' Barber, the ACC's leading scorer, played all 45 minutes of the game and led the Wolfpack with 21 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds. Caleb Martin added 14 points (11 in the first half).

ALL PACK IN THE FIRST HALF: Virginia Tech led 5-2 in the game's opening minutes but soon the Pack would take over. Behind Barber and Caleb Martin, solid defense and 8-for-9 free throw shooting, NC State built a 32-16 lead late in the first half. A small run by the home team in the first half's closing minutes resulted in a 34-24 halftime lead for NC State.

HOW REGULATION ENDED: Virginia Tech, down by 16 at one point and trailing 42-29 with 15:50 left, stormed back and eventually took a 56-53 lead. At 58-58, a lay-up by Freeman and a free throw by Anya gave the Pack a 61-58 lead. VT's Seth Allen, who finished with 23 points, made a 3-pointer to tie the game. NC State had a shot to win the game at the buzzer, but Barber had his shot blocked.

TURNING POINT: A 3-point play by VT's Kerry Blackshear at the 2:07 mark in overtime erased a slight NC State lead. The game was tied at 67 when Blackshear scored again, followed by two foul shots by Justin Bibbs to give Virginia Tech a 71-67 that it wouldn't relinquish. The Wolfpack shot 5-for-12 at the foul line during the overtime period.

UP NEXT: NC State will host No. 18 Louisville Thursday night at PNC Arena. Fans are encouraged to BLACKOUT PNC Arena.

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Team Stats

Anthony 'Cat' Barber

Martin Caleb

Abdul-Malik Abu

Martin Cody

Players Mentioned

Anthony 'Cat' Barber