BLACKSBURG – Justin Robinson scored 18 points to lead No. 15 Virginia Tech to an 89-68 victory over VMI in a nonconference game played Wednesday night at Carilion Clinic Court.
Robinson made three 3-pointers and hit 9 of 12 from the free-throw line for the Hokies, who moved to 7-1 overall on the season and beat VMI for the seventh straight time. The Keydets lost their third straight game and fell to 5-5 on the season.
Tech often beats opponents with torrid long-range shooting, ranking fourth in the country in 3-point shooting percentage (44.9) and seventh in 3s per game (11.9). But the Hokies turned up the defense against the Keydets, using their length against a smaller team to limit them to eight field goals in the first half.
Virginia Tech broke open a close game midway through the first half when it went on a 13-0 run. P.J. Horne and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored four points each in that span, and then Jonathan Kabongo finished the run with a corner 3 that gave the Hokies a 30-13 lead with 8:11 left in the half. The Hokies led 42-21 at halftime and never were threatened.
"I think we're turning the corner," Robinson said of the Hokies' defense. "We're getting the principles down really well. We've been practicing really hard and learning principles of the defense we're running. That's really big for us. Knowing when to help, when not to help and playing hard the whole time … that's what we're going to keep doing."
The Hokies led by as many as 37 in the second. VMI used a couple of runs in the final seven minutes to make the score more respectable.
Alexander-Walker finished with 15 points, and the Hokies shot 51.7 percent from the floor (30 of 58) and made 11 3-pointers. Tech also got a solid game from Horne, who made just his second start of the season and scored 12 points, hitting all six of his shots.
Garrett Gilkeson paced VMI with 21 points.
(12/5/2018) 2018 MEN'S BASKETBALL vs. VMI
QUOTES TO NOTE
Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams
(On Tech's play in nonconference action thus far)
"Four games left to go in December. Washington [on Dec. 15] will be an outlier because every possession will be zone, but a lot of what VMI was doing tonight defensively, we had not played against, and those were good reps for us. We have to continue to improve on us, but when you can play against teams that are unique, those reps end up becoming very important."
(On the Hokies' depth – Tech's bench scored 32 points against VMI)
"I don't know that we have a lot of depth. I think what we're trying to figure out is who we have, how to best utilize them, and we need everybody playing for one another … Isaiah Wilkins is beginning to have a distinct role and he's learning how hard he has to play, and he's beginning to practice at that same level. I think Jonathan Kabongo, the last two games, has made improvement, and in between, he has practiced really well. Typical coach, we've just got to continue to take the next step."
GAME NOTES
• Tech now has hit at least 10 3-pointers in six straight games and seven of eight this season.
• The Hokies have scored at least 85 points in five games this season. Tech is unbeaten this season when scoring 70 or more.
• The Hokies' 32 points off the bench were a season high.
• Horne's 12 points were a season high. He went into the VMI game having scored just 15 points all season. He also tied a season high with five rebounds.
• Wilkins' 13 points marked his second-most of the season. He scored 21 in the season opener against Gardner-Webb.
• Alexander-Walker has scored in double figures in all eight games this season.
• Robinson's nine free throws made and 12 attempts were season highs for a Tech player.
• Outlaw finished with a career-high 11 rebounds. His previous career high was seven, which he has accomplished several times (most recently, in the Hokies' win over Saint Francis).
UP NEXT
The Hokies close out their three game homestand when they take on South Carolina State on Sunday. The tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.