Key, Morsell played big roles in Wahoos beating Hokies

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Braxton Key and Casey Morsell played key roles in Virginia’s win at Virginia Tech on Wednesday night, a game won in the final seconds on a 3-pointer by Kihei Clark.

While most of the focus was on Clark’s big shot at the end and Mamadi Diakite’s consistency throughout the game (he personally outscored the Hokies 13-11 in the first half), Key and Morsell put together their own big moments in helping extend the Cavaliers’ five-game winning streak.

Key posted his third double-double of the season with a 10-point, 11-rebound performance.

Moments before Clark’s clutch, game-winning bucket, Morsell made a significant 3-pointer from the wing. UVA trailed Tech 51-50 with two minutes to play when the freshman caught the ball in the left corner and fired away for a 3-point basket that put the Cavaliers back in front, 53-51.

“To see Casey do that in that setting was big,” UVA coach Tony Bennett said after the win. “I remember he did that against Arizona State early in the year, hit a big three. I teased him, ‘You made a big one and then you air-balled one.’”

Morsell did miss one from the exact same spot as his make with only 25 seconds to play.

“On that last shot, the ball slipped a little bit,” Morsell said afterward. “The first one felt good. I was confident. I was in rhythm.”

Key raved about Morsell’s make.

“That was huge,” Key said. “Hopefully some of that magic will rub off on me. We’ve told Casey to just keep shooting. I think we were down at the time, so for him to hit that, it was just huge.”

Morsell, who has struggled with his shot most of the season, was 3 for 10 from the field and 1 of 5 from beyond the arc for 7 points, but his one 3-pointer made a big difference.

Meanwhile, Key made 3 of 7 (0 for 2 from long range) and 4 of 6 free throws, mostly under immense pressure. His free throws prevented Hokie students from getting free bacon, a promotion where a company provides free bacon if an opposing players whiffs twice in a row from the line.

His rebounds may have been just as big. When Key delivers strong rebound performances, Virginia is much tougher to beat.

Both Key and Morsell will be factors in Saturday night’s game against visiting Duke.

They have learned not to reach for the panic button in close games. UVA has won eight of its last nine games. Four of the last five wins have been by a collective nine points.

“We’re learning how to win,” Key said. “That’s important once you get to March Madness and the ACC Tournament. There’s really no blowout wins, so we’re learning how to win in clutch situations.

“We’re trusting each other more. Guys are starting to be more comfortable in their roles. Guys who are getting shots in late-game situations, they shoot with way more confidence than at the beginning of the season. At the beginning of the season, we weren’t sure who was going to shoot them.”

Morsell said that close is the new normal.

“Being in that situation is kind of normal now to us,” the freshman guard grinned. “You just have to play your game, be focused no matter how loud it gets. That’s one thing I’ve learned as a freshman, that communication has to be a major priority in able to be successful.”