Hokie ClubPHILADELPHIA — Erik Reynolds II knocked down five 3-pointers and put up 25 points to help Saint Joseph's pull away from Virginia Tech to earn an 82-62 win on Saturday at The Palestra.
The victory gave the Hawks (8-4) their first back-to-back wins since they won three straight in November. Saint Joseph's finished 15 of 32 from deep (46.9%). It was the first time a Tech opponent hit for 15 or more threes since Duke connected on 15 on Feb. 14, 2018 in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Reynolds hit from behind the arc with 27 seconds left in the first half to send the Hawks into intermission with a 32-30 lead. After the Hokies got two free throws to start the second half, Reynolds' layup kicked off a 10-0 run to take a double-digit lead at 42-32. Derek Simpson's second 3 of the half made it a 47-34 lead with under 16 to play. Ben Hammond hit from deep to get Virginia Tech within 10 at 54-44, but Anthony Finkley answered with a 3 and Reynolds followed with a layup as the Hawks pulled away.
Reynolds was 10 of 19 from the field, including 5 of 11 from deep, with three assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Simpson was 4 of 8 from 3-point range and scored 18 and Rasheer Fleming was 8 for 8 from the line to add 18 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Finkley chipped in 13 points by hitting 3 of 4 from deep. Saint Joseph's was 15 of 32 from long range.
Hammond finished with 11 points and Ben Burnham was 3 for 3 from distance off the bench to add another 11.
Tech (5-7, 0-1) returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play New Year's Eve at No. 5 Duke. Tipoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET.