Young, Johnson help Virginia Tech hold off Cal in 71-68 win

Jan 12, 2025, 09:57 am

BERKELEY, Calif. -- — Reserve Jaydon Young scored 14 points, Tyler Johnson recorded a double-double and Virginia Tech withstood Cal’s rally and beat the Golden Bears 71-68 on Saturday.

Johnson scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Brandon Rechsteiner and Mylyjael Poteat each scored 12 points for the Hokies (7-9, 2-3), who entered the game having lost three of their past four.

Andrej Stojakovic scored 24 points and reserve Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 14 points for Cal (8-8, 1-4).

Stojakovic's 3-point attempt to tie it with two seconds left rimmed out to end the game.

The Hokies took a commanding 42-23 halftime lead before Cal went on to outscore the Hokies 26-7 at one point in the second half and cut the deficit to 58-55 on Stojakovic's 3-pointer with 7:22 remaining. Cal forged a tie at 58, but Tobi Lawal responded with a 3 and the Hokies led for the remainder.

Rechsteiner's jump shot with 13:25 left before halftime gave the Hokies a 15-4 lead. Virginia Tech led 23-9 at the midway point of the first half and 31-17 with five minutes left before the break. The Hokies extended the lead to 42-23 by intermission, shooting 61.5% (16 for 26).

The Bears and Hokies met for just the second time and the first time in more than 30 years. Cal beat Virginia Tech 68-59 on Nov. 30, 1991, in the Central Fidelity Holiday Classic consolation game in Richmond, Virginia.

Cal travels to North Carolina to face the Tar Heels on Wednesday when Virginia Tech hosts N.C. State.

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