Cattoor scores 20 points, helps Virginia Tech end 3-game skid with 83-75 victory over Florida State

Virginia Tech's Hunter Cattoor (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)(AP/Michael Caterina)

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Hunter Cattoor scored a season-high 20 points, Lynn Kidd added 12 points and matched a career best with 15 rebounds, and Virginia Tech never trailed in the second half and beat Florida State 83-75 on Tuesday night.

Sean Pedulla made 14 of 16 free throws and finished with 19 points for Virginia Tech (14-10, 6-7 ACC), which ended a three-game skid. Tyler Nickel added 15 points. Cattoor and Nickel combined for seven of the Hokies’ 11 3-pointers.

Jamir Watkins hit three buckets from distance, made 9 of 11 free throws and scored 26 points to lead Florida State (13-11, 7-6). Darin Green Jr. chipped in with 14 points.

Kidd scored on an alley-oop dunk and Nickel hit consecutive 3-pointers as the Hokies opened the second half on a 10-2 run for a 49-41 advantage and led the rest of the way. Cam Corhen made back-to-back dunks to pull Florida State to 52-51 with 12:04 remaining, but the Seminoles didn’t get closer.

It was tied 39-all at halftime. Watkins led the Seminoles with 13 points. Cattoor and Pedulla each scored 11 first-half points for the Hokies.

Florida State, which has lost four of its last five, hosts No. 9 Duke on Saturday. Virginia Tech plays at seventh-ranked North Carolina on Saturday.

——- Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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