Hokie ClubBUIES CREEK, N.C. – Virginia Tech finished the game on a 21-11 run and held off an inspired Campbell team, 71-60, in men’s basketball action Monday night in Gore Arena. With the win, the Hokies improve to 3-0 on the season, while handing the Camels their first loss of the season following a 3-0 start.
The Hokies took a 33-31 lead into the intermission on a three-point field goal by junior JT Thompson at the buzzer. Tech opened the game on a 7-0 run before the Camels eventually took a 27-22 lead with 3:55 remaining in the first half on a three-pointer by Lorne Merthie.
Campbell kept the game close throughout and took their final lead of the game with 11:14 remaining in the contest on a lay-up by Amir Celestin. Leading 50-49 with 7:43 remaining, Thompson hit a jumper in the lane to begin the 21-11 run to end the game.
Thompson led the Hokie with a season-high 17 points off the bench. Junior Malcolm Delaney scored 15 points and junior Dorenzo Hudson added 10 points. When Delaney hit a three-pointer with 5:58 remaining, he became the 40th player in Virginia Tech history to record 1,000 career-points. Jonathan Rodriguez of Campbell led all scorers with 19 points and Junard Hartley added 10 points.
The Hokies outrebounded the Camels, 35-27, including a 15-8 edge on the offensive glass. Tech forced Campbell into 15 turnovers and blocked four CU shots. The victory was head coach Seth Greenberg's 110th as the Hokie mentor, moving him into second place in career victories at Virginia Tech.
Tech returns to action on Friday night at 8 p.m., in the Palestra in Philadelphia, Pa., as they play Temple in the 2009 Philly Hoop Group Classic.