State senior guard Cameron Bennerman was eight-for-eight shooting free throws in the last minute on Saturday as the No. 21 Pack (21-5, 10-3 ACC) held off host Virginia Tech (13-12, 3-9) for a 70-64 victory at Cassell Coliseum.
Bennerman tied a career-high with 26 points, and fellow senior guard Tony Bethel added 19 points on six-for-nine 3-point shooting as State won without senior forward Ilian Evtimov, who did not play because of a foot injury.
The Pack saw a 47-25 lead cut to 61-58 with 1:21 left before hitting late free throws to ice the game.
After a tight game for much of the first half, the contest turned heavily in State’s favor when they hit 43-25 at the half after a dunk by Bennerman as the clock expired.
Following a Simmons basket and a Bennerman score early in the second half, the lead reached its peak at 22, only to see the Hokies storm back.
Virginia Tech guard Deron Washington scored seven of his nine points in the 33-14 Hokies spurt.
But in the end, Bennerman’s free throws and one late free throw by Bethel were enough to keep the Pack in sole possession of second place in the ACC.