Hokie ClubCANCUN, Mexico – Dorenzo Hudson shattered his career high with 41 points in Virginia Tech’s 103-94 overtime victory over Seton Hall in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday night.
Hudson’s 41 points is the most by a Hokie since Bimbo Coles scored 42 points in 1990. The Hokies played the contest without the ACC’s leading scorer, Malcolm Delaney, who missed the game after spraining his left ankle in the Hokies’ win over Longwood on Wednesday.
Tech held the lead throughout much of the contest and took a 37-33 lead into intermission. The lead seesawed through the later stages of regulation. Tech took an 80-78 lead on a pair of free throws by junior Jeff Allen with 36 seconds remaining, but Eugene Harvey made a lay-up with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 80-80 and send it into overtime.
In the five minute overtime period, the Hokies outscored the Pirates, 23-14 to claim the win. Tech made eight of 10 free throws in the extra session and made seven of nine shots in overtime, including a big three-pointer by freshman forward Manny Atkins.
Hudson led all scorers with a career-high 41 points and tied a school record with 20 made free throws (on 21 attempts). He also dished out five assists and made three of seven three-point attempts. Allen recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. With his 23 points, Allen becomes the 41st Hokie to record 1,000 career points and joins teammate Delaney on the selective list. Jeremy Hazell led five Pirates in double figures with 24 points.
SHU outshot the Hokies, 49.3 percent to 47.0 percent, but Tech won the battle of the boards, 40-36 and had eight steals of 14 Pirate turnovers.
With the win, the Hokies are now 12-1 on the season, while Seton Hall falls to 9-4 overall. Tech has now won nine straight games, their most since the 1995-96 season. The 12-1 start is the best at Virginia Tech since the Hokies opened the 1982-83 season 14-1.
The Hokies will return to Blacksburg and will have the next eight days off before opening ACC play on Jan. 10 at defending national champion North Carolina.