Virginia Tech used an outstanding defensive effort to overcome a shaky offensive start, and the result was a 69-37 blowout victory over Appalachian State Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies improve to 6-3 with the win, while the Mountaineers drop to 5-3.
The Hokies didn’t play well offensively as a team, but they got good performances from several individual players. Senior guard Zabian Dowdell scored 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He was 3-of-5 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. With his performance today, Dowdell is now 30-of-34 from the free throw line this season, good for 88.2%.
A.D. Vassallo, who had been streaky early in the season, had one of his better games. The sophomore forward scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He was 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. He also hit both of his free throws.
Deron Washington was active on the offensive end with 13 points, and also on the defense end. Washington finished the game with team-high five blocks. Freshman forward Lewis Witcher also continued his good play with eight points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes of action.
Virginia Tech managed to come away with the 32-point victory despite Jamon Gordon being on the bench for most of the game. Gordon got in foul trouble early in the first half, and played just 16 minutes, finishing with two points. He did contribute in other areas, finishing with five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.
Both teams started very slowly offensively. The major difference was the Hokies gradually picked up steam as the game progressed. Appalachian State’s Jeremy Clayton hit a layup with 17:15 left in the half to put his team up 4-2, but the Mountaineers didn’t score again until the 2:24 mark of the first half when Clayton was credited with a tip-in.
That’s as long a drought as you’ll see in college basketball, and Tech was gradually able to take control of the game. The Hokies went on a 20-0 run to take a 22-4 lead late in the first half, and then they coasted to the intermission holding a 26-9 lead.
Appalachian State was never able to get closer than 17 points in the second half. Virginia Tech’s offense was better in the second half, as the Hokies scored 43 points and made all 11 free throw attempts. With a better offensive effort in the second half, Tech gradually extended the lead and went on to win the game 69-37.
The Hokies enjoyed a decent shooting performance, especially compared to Appalachian State. Tech shot 47.9% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and 68% from the free throw line. In the second half, the Hokies were red hot, hitting 58.3% from the field, 80% from three-point range, and 100% from the free throw line.
Meanwhile, the Mountaineers struggled the entire game. They shot just 20.7% from the field, 16% from three-point range and 56.3% from the free throw line. Virginia Tech out-rebounded Appalachian State 40-34.
The Hokies get a week off before welcoming Wake Forest to Cassell Coliseum next Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30, and the game will be televised by FSN.
Support Hokie Hoops by Joining the Hokies Roundball Club!
The Roundball Club was founded in 2000 and has since grown to include some
100+ families. In those few short years we have seen three conferences and two
head coaches. But through all the changes, we continue to be inspired by the
gains our team is making.
The Mission of the Roundball Club is to:
1. Promote public awareness of our Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball Program.
2. Foster the goals and policies of the Virginia Tech Athletic Department.
3. Provide the level of spirited support and resources required for our program
to achieve national prominence.
Click below for more information, but here are the membership levels and
benefits.
Sixth Man (Individual) – $75: Includes lapel pin, T-shirt, membership
card, and admittance to after game social events with players and coaches (with
free food and soft drinks) held after weekend home games except Hokie
Celebration (Date TBA).
The Steal (Family) – $125 ($100 applied to Hokie Club level status):
Includes Sixth Man benefits plus team photo when available and media guide.
Fast Break – $300 ($250 applied to Hokie Club level status): Includes
Sixth Man plus NIKE Pull Over Fleece.
Slam Dunk – $600 ($500 applied to Hokie Club level status): Includes
Fast Break plus an official NIKE Team Field Jacket & eligibility to be
honorary coach for a non-conference game.
All apparel will be distributed on a one per family/member basis.
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