Hokie ClubUNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Virginia Tech stopped Penn State on their final possession and defeated the Nittany Lions, 66-64, in non-conference basketball action Saturday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. With the victory, the Hokies improve to 8-1 overall, while the home-standing Lions fall to 6-4.
The game stayed close throughout and was tied 36-36 at the intermission. The HokiesS led by as many as six points in the first half, but neither team could manage more than a five point advantage in the second half.
PSU took their second and final lead of the second half, 59-58, with 4:20 remaining on a pair of free throws by Andrew Jones. Tech regained the lead with 3:30 remaining on a pair of free throws by junior guard Malcolm Delaney and made the majority of their free throw attempts in the final minutes to claim the hard-fought victory.
The Hokies led 65-61 with 17 seconds remaining following a two more free throws by Delaney, but the Lions’ Talor Battle hits his fifth three-pointer of the night to cut the lead to 65-64 with 7.7 seconds remaining. PSU immediately fouled freshman guard Erick Green, who hit one of two free throw attempts to move the lead back to two points. Battle drove the ball the length of the court, but his lay-up attempt was challenged by a pair of Hokies and fell short. Junior guard Dorenzo Hudson grabbed the rebound as the final horn sounded to give the Hokies the victory.
Delaney led the Hokies with 27 points and junior forward Jeff Allen recorded his second straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Battle led all scorers with 32 points and David Jackson added 12 points in the loss.
PSU won the battle on the glass, 41-38, including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass. Tech held the Lions to 33.3 percent from the floor, while shooting 43.6 percent in the game.
Virginia Tech takes the next week off before returning to the court on Saturday, Dec. 19, as they host Charleston Southern in Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m.