BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech men's basketball team used a big run late in the first half and stifling defense throughout the contest to defeat Ball State, 73-64, in the first game of the Charleston Classic on Thursday. The game was played at the TD Arena on the campus of the College of Charleston.
The Hokies, now 2-0 on the young season, trailed 22-17 with 9:22 remaining in the first half, but closed the period on a 26-7 run to take a 43-29 lead into the locker room. Ball State, which falls to 1-2 overall, was able to cut the lead to a few as five points in the second half, but Tech stretched the lead out again to 17 points, 69-52, with 5:25 to play and took the 73-64 victory.
Three Hokies scored in double figures, led by sophomore Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 21 points. Redshirt junior Kerry Blackshear Jr., added 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds and senior Justin Robinson added 15 points and six assists. Ball State was led by Tayler Persons with 21 points.
The Hokies out rebounded the Cardinals, 33-32 and outshot BSU, 46.0 percent to 42.3 percent. Tech forced the Cardinals into 14 turnovers and scored 20 points off of those turnovers.
Notes
- The Hokies outscored Ball State, 42-22 in the paint.
- The Hokies are 'ranked 16th in the AP poll and 17th in the USA Today coaches poll.
- Tech made eight of their nine free throw attempts (89.3 percent).
- In the win, Justin Robinson passed Jay Purcell and is now tied with former teammate Zach LeDay for 40th place in career scoring at Virginia Tech.
- With his nine points, Ahmed Hill tied Craig Lieder for 46th place in career scoring at Virginia Tech.
- The Hokies are now 6-0 all-time in games played on Nov. 15.
UP NEXT
- The Hokies will face Northeastern on Friday a 11 a.m. in the second round of the Charleston Classic. The game will be shown on ESPN2. The Huskies defeated Alabama, 68-52, in Thursday's second game.
