MONTVILLE, Conn. (Interstat) — In a high-octane, back-and-forth offensive showcase that required an extra period to decide, the Virginia Tech Hokies outlasted the Providence Friars 107 to 101 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The contest, a stark departure from the defensive struggles that often define early-season non-conference play, saw both teams trade blows from the opening tip until Virginia Tech seized control in the final minutes of overtime. The victory pushed the Hokies to a perfect 2-0 start to the season, while the Friars evened their record at 1-1.

Virginia Tech was propelled by a spectacular performance from sophomore forward Neoklis Avdalas. The 6-foot-8 native of Kalamata, Greece, dominated the floor, pouring in a game-high 33 points while dishing out six assists in 34 minutes of action. His versatility and scoring prowess proved to be the difference-maker in a game filled with standout individual efforts.

Providence’s backcourt duo of Jason Edwards and Jaylin Sellers kept the Friars in the fight throughout the afternoon. Edwards, a 6-foot-1 guard from Atlanta, scored 28 points and added four assists. Sellers, a 6-foot-5 guard from Columbus, Georgia, was equally formidable, contributing 26 points in a team-high 35 minutes on the court.

The game’s narrative was one of dramatic shifts. Providence controlled the first half, taking a six-point lead into the break after scoring 46 points. The Friars maintained their offensive rhythm for much of the second period, but Virginia Tech mounted a relentless comeback, matching Providence’s first-half output with 46 points of their own in the second half to force a 86-86 tie at the end of regulation.

Overtime belonged to the Hokies. They outscored the Friars 21 to 15 in the extra frame, with Avdalas and his supporting cast making critical plays on both ends of the floor. Virginia Tech’s efficiency was a key factor; they scored 107 points on just 90 possessions, translating to an elite offensive rating of 118.3. Providence, while also efficient with an offensive rating of 107.6 from 94 possessions, could not keep pace when it mattered most.

The statistical sheet reflected the tightly contested nature of the game, with Virginia Tech holding slim advantages in several critical categories. The Hokies shot 51 percent from the floor, connecting on 40 of 79 attempts, while the Friars shot 45 percent on 34 of 76 shooting. From beyond the arc, Virginia Tech was slightly more effective, making 12 of 28 three-pointers compared to Providence’s 11 of 33.

Both teams were stellar from the free-throw line, but Providence’s near-perfect 22-of-25 performance was not enough to overcome other deficits. Virginia Tech won the battle on the glass, securing 10 offensive rebounds to Providence’s seven, and capitalized more effectively on mistakes, scoring 20 points off 13 Friar turnovers. Providence managed just 12 points off 11 Hokies turnovers.

Defensively, the game featured active hands, with Virginia Tech recording 10 steals and seven blocks, just edging out Providence’s eight steals and six blocks. Providence’s interior defense was anchored by 6-foot-10 freshman Oswin Erhunmwunse of Benin City, Nigeria, who swatted away four shots and scored 11 points.

Beyond Avdalas’s heroics, Virginia Tech showcased a balanced offensive attack. Jailen Bedford, a 6-foot-4 guard from Austin, Texas, provided a significant spark with 18 points. Forward Amani Hansberry of Silver Spring, Maryland, was a force inside, playing 39 minutes and adding 17 points and three assists. Tyler Johnson of Orlando, Florida, chipped in 12 points, and Jaden Schutt provided a boost off the bench with 10 points in just 14 minutes.

For Providence, Stefan Vaaks, a 6-foot-7 forward from Tabasalu, Estonia, was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 17 points in 24 minutes.

The result was a mild upset according to advanced metrics, as Interstat’s ELO system had projected Providence with a 57.40 percent probability to win heading into the contest.

Looking ahead, Providence will aim to bounce quickly as they return home to host Penn on Tuesday, November 11. Their schedule remains challenging with a road trip to Colorado on November 14 and a neutral-site game against Penn State on November 22.

Virginia Tech, riding the momentum of a 2-0 start, will return to Cassell Coliseum to host Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday, November 12. Their non-conference slate continues with home games against Charlotte and Bryant before a trip to The Bahamas to face Colorado State on November 26.