Hokie ClubPHILADELPHIA, PA. – Virginia Tech struggled shooting from the field and dropped a 61-50 decision to Temple in the 2009 Philly Hoop Group Classic at the Palestra in Philadelphia on Friday night. The Hokies, now 3-1 on the season, shot just 29.8 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from three-point range in the defeat. Temple improves to 4-1 overall.
Tech received an outstanding performance from junior guard Malcolm Delaney, who scored a season-high 32 points in the game, including 28 points in the second half. It is the second-highest point total for Delaney’s career, who recorded his 1,000th career point in Tech’s win at Campbell on Monday. Delaney’s 32 points is the most points scored by an ACC player this season.
Tech led by as many as five points early in the first half, but had trouble scoring late and trailed 27-17 at the intermission. After the Owls scored the first bucket of the second half, Delaney went to work and scored the Hokies’ first 11 points of period and Tech was able to cut the lead to 30-28 with 15:24 remaining on a pair of Delaney free throws. Tech was able to keep the game close for the next six minutes, before Temple opened up the lead and held on for the victory.
Delaney was the only Hokie in double figures in the game. Jeff Allen scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds and Victor Davila also scored six points. Lavoy Allen recorded a double-double for the Owls, with 18 points and 10 rebounds, as he was the only Temple player in double figures.
Temple held a slight advantage on the boards, out rebounding the Hokies, 39-38 and both team committed 13 turnovers.
The Hokies conclude the event on Saturday evening, as they play Delaware at 6:15 p.m. Following Saturday’s game, the Hokies will travel to the University of Iowa to play the Hawkeyes on Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m., Eastern Time in the 2009 Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The game will be televised by ESPN2.