Virginia Tech halts losing streak at seven by ‘blacking out’ Duke in dramatic game

BLACKSBURG — Grant Basile scored 15 of his 24 points in the second half, Sean Pedulla had 16 points and five assists and Virginia Tech beat Duke 78-75 Monday night to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Virginia Tech (12-8, 2-7 ACC) hadn’t won since topping Grambling State on Dec. 17. The Hokies, who wore black jerseys while their fans dressed in a “blackout” promotion, improved to 5-1 in their last six matchups with Duke at Cassell Coliseum.

After a timeout with 35.3 seconds remaining, Virginia Tech dribbled down the clock before MJ Collins made a jumper from the free-throw line for a 77-75 lead. Duke’s Tyrese Proctor was short on an open 3-pointer, and Collins grabbed the rebound was fouled. Collins made 1 of 2 at the free-throw line with 3.9 seconds to cap the scoring.

After timeouts, Duke attempted a half-court pass, but Virginia Tech guard Hunter Cattoor intercepted it and ran out the clock.

Cattoor finished with 15 points, on five 3-pointers, and two steals for Virginia Tech. Collins had six points.

Freshman Kyle Filipowski scored a season-high 29 and recorded his 10th double-double with 10 rebounds for Duke (14-6, 5-4). Proctor and Dariq Whitehead added 10 points apiece.

Whitehead missed most of the second half with a leg injury and was on crutches at the end of the game with a wrap around his lower left leg.

Duke went four-plus minutes without a field goal late in the second half, making just two of its final 10 shots. Proctor drained a 3-pointer with 38.9 seconds left, snapping a string of six misses from distance for Duke, to tie it at 75.

Both teams play again Saturday. Duke plays at Georgia Tech at 3 p.m., and Virginia Tech hosts Syracuse at 7. Both games are on ACC Network.