It was a sloppy finish, but Virginia Tech held on to defeat VMI 105-92 in Cassell Coliseum on Monday night. The Hokies are now 3-1 on the season, while VMI dropped to 3-2.
The Hokies led by as many as 20 points twice in the second half, but the Keydets were able to whittle away at the lead and cut the margin to as little as six points in the final minutes. However, the Hokies scored the final seven points of the game to pull away to a 13-point victory.
Tech shot 52.2% from the field, and they were also terrific from the outside and the free throw line.
Overall: 36-of-69 (52.2%)
3-Point: 11-of-17 (64.7%)
Free Throw: 22-of-26 (84.6%)
Five Hokies scored in double figures.
Sr. F Jarell Eddie: 21 pts, 7 rebounds, 5-of-5 from three-point range
Fr. G Ben Emelogu: 19 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4-of-7 from three-point range
Sr. F C.J. Barksdale: 16 pts, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Fr. G Devin Wilson: 13 pts, 5 rebounds, 4 assissts
So. G Adam Smith: 11 pts, 3 assists
Freshman forward Trevor Thompson came off the bench to finish with four point, six rebounds and five blocks in just 15 minutes. Marshall Wood also added seven points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes.
Tech completely dominated the smaller Keydets on the boards, pulling down 52 rebounds to VMI’s 31. However, it was turnovers that helped keep the visitors in the game. Tech turned it over 16 times, while VMI had just four turnovers. The Hokies were outscored 21-3 in points off turnovers.
Virginia Tech has a huge challenge on Friday night when they take on #1 Michigan State in Brooklyn. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30pm, and the game will be televised by TruTV.
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How on earth did VMI put up 92 points on Tech, and be within 6 in the late stages. That is SCARY!
By the way folks, lay off Smith he’s a 2 guard not a pint and he’s supposed to take some shots. Somebody’s always got to bitch about something.
What is the true story about Rankin?
There was stretch where the team treated the ball like a hot potato. Several times they just quickly tried to get the ball to someone else creating a scramble situation where someone just needed to hold on to the ball and set things up.
Adam Smith…. he is too much of a gunner and it is going to hurt and help VT. He plays too erratically right now. Even Erick Green who took lots of shots was under control. SMith does not pass ahead as much as he should. And he just wants to shoot. He needs to be a part of a team, not someone who needs to prove he can play at this level.
RE: Smith’s erratic play…at one point while Smith was on the bench, Devin Wilson had a great drive to the basket where he didn’t go barreling in, waiting for the defender to try to swat the shot away, and then laid it up for a basket. JJ immediately turned to Smith and said “That’s how you play basketball…that’s why he’s out there playing right now.” So obviously JJ is working on Smith to be a better PG. Let’s hope that Wilson and Smith can work together well to be a great tandem to replace and support each other. That brings to mind, WTH has happened to Rankin? Guess he’d rather suit up Barney Stinson style than suit up baller style?
I like it. Thinking its still gonna be a tough season but these youngSters can ball. They gonna surprise some people and not finish last in acc
Isn’t Barksdale a junior?
Yep. That’s a typo.