Virginia Tech Holds Off Late Georgia Tech Rally

Ben Hammond scores 20 points as Hokies fend off Yellow Jackets' comeback attempt

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:47am

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Ben Hammond scored 20 points as Virginia Tech held on late for a 71-65 victory over Georgia Tech on Tuesday in Blacksburg, Va. The Hokies led by as many as 15 points in the second half before Georgia Tech went on a 15-2 run to slice the deficit to 67-65 with 19 seconds remaining. Hammond and Jailen Bedford each hit a pair of free throws in the final 13 seconds to seal the win for Virginia Tech.

Why it matters

This ACC matchup between two teams looking to improve their conference standing saw Virginia Tech stave off a late comeback attempt by Georgia Tech, who was missing two starters due to injury. The win keeps Virginia Tech in the hunt for a top-half finish in the ACC, while Georgia Tech's struggles continue as they've now lost six of their last eight games.

The details

Virginia Tech built a 15-point lead in the second half behind strong performances from Hammond (20 points), Bedford (14 points), and Christian Gurdak (11 points, 7 rebounds). Georgia Tech made a furious late rally, cutting the deficit to just two points in the final minute, but couldn't complete the comeback. Jaeden Mustaf had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets, while Lamar Washington scored 8 of his 12 points in the final 4:20 to spark the late run.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The players

Ben Hammond

A Virginia Tech player who scored a team-high 20 points in the win.

Jailen Bedford

A Virginia Tech player who scored 14 points and hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Jaeden Mustaf

A Georgia Tech player who recorded a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

Lamar Washington

A Georgia Tech player who scored 8 of his 12 points in the final 4:20 to spark the Yellow Jackets' late comeback attempt.

Mouhamed Sylla

A Georgia Tech starter who missed the game due to an ankle injury.

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What they’re saying

“We knew Georgia Tech would make a run, but our guys showed a lot of poise down the stretch to hold them off.”

— Mike Young, Virginia Tech Head Coach

What’s next

Virginia Tech will look to build on this win as they continue ACC play, while Georgia Tech will try to get healthy and end their recent skid.

The takeaway

This game showcased Virginia Tech's ability to withstand a late comeback attempt and secure an important conference victory, while also highlighting Georgia Tech's struggles as they continue to deal with key injuries to their starting lineup.