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Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech pulls away from Louisville in the second half as Hokies rebound from back-to-back losses

The Virginian-Pilot
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Virginia Tech guard Sean Pedulla (3) attempts a layup past Louisville guard El Ellis (3) during the half of a game in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday.

Virginia Tech guard Sean Pedulla (3) attempts a layup past Louisville guard El Ellis (3) during the half of a game in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday. (Timothy D. Easley/AP)

Grant Basile scored 18 points to lead four double-figure scorers and Justyn Mutts added a double-double as Virginia Tech rolled to a 71-54 victory over Louisville on Tuesday night.

The Hokies were coming off consecutive losses against Duke and Miami, but Mutts finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds and Hunter Cattorr and Sean Pedulla added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

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The Hokies (17-13, 12-7 ACC) led 35-27 at halftime and never trailed after that. Lynn Kidd’s basket with 12:30 left before halftime gave the Hokies a 10-8 lead and jumpstarted a 12-2 run. Cattoor’s 3-pointer made it 20-10 with 7:15 before intermission.

Louisville pulled within three at 50-47 with 9:07 left on JJ Traynor’s 3-pointer. But Mutts answered with a 3-pointer of his own to spark a 10-0 spurt for Virginia Tech that put the game away. Louisville failed to score during a stretch of four minutes, 59 seconds.

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The Cardinals (4-26, 2-17 ACC) missed all eight of their 3-point attempts in the first half and finished 2 of 14 from behind the arc. El Ellis and Mike James scored 14 points each for the Cardinals.

Virginia Tech ends the regular season hosting Florida State on Saturday. Louisville closes regular-season play Saturday at No. 13 Virginia.

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