Hokie ClubANAHEIM, Calif. – Virginia Tech lost to UNLV, 71-59, in the championship game of the 76 Classic at the Anaheim Arena on Sunday night. The loss drops the Hokies to 4-2 on the season, while UNLV improves to 6-0 on the season.
Tech jumped out to an early lead, but the Rebels went on a 17-10 run in the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 37-30 lead into the intermission. Tech was able to cut the lead to 43-41 with 16 minutes remaining and kept the game close throughout, but was never able to regain the lead.
Malcolm Delaney led all scorers with a season-high 30 points and Terrell Bell added 12 points for the Hokies. Chace Stanback led four UNLV players in double figures with 17 points.
The rebounding totals were close and Tech shot 48.8 percent from the field, but the Rebels forced the Hokies into 18 turnovers on the night. Tech was just nine of 21 from the line for the night.
Delaney was named to the all-tournament team, scoring 63 points in the three games. In the game tonight, Delaney was seven of nine from three-point range.
Tech returns to action on Wednesday night in Cassell Coliseum, as they host #10/8 Purdue at 7:30 p.m. in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.