Next Game:
at Davidson
11/22/2024 | 7:00 PM
Nov. 22 (Fri) / 7:00 PM
at Davidson
History
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – VMI Basketball faced a formidable challenge in their road matchup against Power Five opponent Pittsburgh on Monday night at the bustling Petersen Events Center. The Keydets, now with an overall record of 4-2, experienced a challenging game, suffering a significant defeat to the Panthers with a final score of 93-48. Pittsburgh’s offense came alive in the second half, showcasing an impressive shooting performance with nearly 71% accuracy from the field and over 66% from beyond the arc, creating immense challenges for VMI’s defense.
Key Stats
– Keydets shot 25% from the field and 25% from the three-point line.
– Panthers shot almost 55% from the field and just under 43% from long range.
– VMI posted 18 second-chance points and 18 points in the paint.
– Linus Holmström led the team with a season-high 15 points while TJ Johnson contributed 12 points, rounding out the double-digit scoring.
– Rickey Bradley, Jr. secured a team-high seven rebounds, while AJ Clark facilitated the offense with a team-best three assists.
Scoring Summary
VMI opened the scoring with an impressive Holmström and-one three-pointer that narrowed the gap to 10-3 with just over 14 minutes left in the first half. Following Bradley Jr.’s layup and subsequent free throw, the Keydets found themselves trailing 14-6 at the under-12 media timeout. After a quick 5-0 surge by Pittsburgh, VMI answered back with a smooth jumper from Augustinas Kiudulas and a powerful two-handed slam by Clark, reducing the deficit to seven points.
The Keydets managed to cut the lead down to just three, fueled by Holmström’s impressive 6-0 run, which included a reverse layup, a free throw, and a long-range shot, bringing the score to 21-18. However, the Panthers quickly retaliated with a commanding 9-0 run, ending the half with a dominant 39-20 advantage.
The second half commenced with a surge from VMI as they scored quickly, thanks to a three-pointer from Johnson and a paint jumper from Kiudulas, narrowing the score to 41-25. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh responded with a decisive 10-0 run, extending their lead to 26 points by the first media timeout. The Panthers continued their offensive onslaught, outscoring VMI 42 to 18 for the remainder of the game.
Next Up
The Keydets are set to return to the court this Friday, where they will take on Davidson in Davidson, North Carolina. The highly anticipated tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
For further details, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow VMI Athletics on social media.
How do you plan to utilize Linus Holmström’s recent success in scoring to benefit the team’s overall offensive strategy?
**Interview with VMI Basketball Head Coach, Mike Jones**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Jones. After a tough game against Pittsburgh, what are your immediate thoughts on the team’s performance?
**Coach Jones:** Thank you for having me. It was definitely a challenging night for us. We faced a very strong Pittsburgh team that executed their game plan effectively. Our shooting struggles were apparent, but I’m proud of our effort and commitment to improving.
**Editor:** The final score was quite significant, with a 93-48 defeat. What do you think were the biggest factors that led to the team’s struggles on the court?
**Coach Jones:** I think our defensive rotations were off, especially in the second half. Pittsburgh’s shooting was exceptional. When a team shoots nearly 71% in a half, it becomes tough to stay competitive. Offensively, we couldn’t find our rhythm and shot only 25%. We need to address our shot selection and execution moving forward.
**Editor:** Linus Holmström had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 15 points. What do you attribute to his success, and how can the team build on that moving into your next game at Davidson?
**Coach Jones:** Linus really stepped up. He’s been working hard in practice and it showed during the game. He has a great offensive skill set, and I hope this performance boosts his confidence. As a team, we need to find ways to create more open shots for our scorers and leverage our strengths in the paint, as we did with 18 points there.
**Editor:** With the next game at Davidson on November 22nd, what will be your focus in practice this week to prepare the team?
**Coach Jones:** Our focus will primarily be on defense. We need to tighten up our rotations and communication on that end. Offensively, we’re going to work on ball movement and getting quality shots. Davidson will be another tough opponent, and we need to come out with a much better performance.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach. Wishing you and the team the best of luck against Davidson!
**Coach Jones:** Thank you! We appreciate your support.