BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Mylyjael Poteat and Lynn Kidd scored 18 points apiece and Virginia Tech cruised to a 91-67 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Poteat came off the bench to match his career high by sinking 6 of 9 shots and all six of his free throws for the Hokies (13-7, 5-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won three in a row. He added six rebounds and blocked two shots. Kidd made 7 of 9 attempts and 4 of 4 at the foul line.
Robbie Beran finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for Virginia Tech. Hunter Cattoor and reserve Tyler Nickel both made three 3-pointers and scored 11. Cattoor added five assists.
Freshman Baye Ndongo totaled 16 points and nine rebounds to pace the Yellow Jackets (9-11, 2-7), who have lost three straight and eight of the last nine. Miles Kelly scored 11.
Poteat had 12 points to help Virginia Tech take a 44-28 lead at halftime. Reserves Tyzhaun Claude and Carter Murphy both scored six as the Yellow Jackets had just three players make two baskets before the break.
The Hokies shot 51.5% with five 3-pointer in building the 16-point lead. Virginia Tech took one less shot but had seven more baskets than Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets shot 29.4% but half of their 10 baskets came from beyond the arc.
Georgia Tech got as close as 64-57 on a basket by Ndongo with 7:57 left to play, but Sean Pedulla, who scored nine with five assists, answered with back-to-back 3-pointers and Cattoor added a third to end the threat.
The Hokies lead the all-time series 23-9. Georgia Tech won the only meeting last season 77-70.
Virginia Tech will host No. 12 Duke on Monday. Georgia Tech returns home to play No. 3 North Carolina on Tuesday.