:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44391546/usa-today-8287418.0.jpg)
Tonight the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-4) and VMI Keydets (5-6) met for the 132 time on the hardwood Monday night. Virginia Tech now leads the series record at 89-43 all-time after winning 87-74.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hokies?src=hash">#Hokies</a> WIN! Tech knocks off VMI 87-74. Bibbs leads the way with 20 points.</p>— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/VT_MBBall/status/547212742353244160">December 23, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Virginia Tech got off to a fast start and jumped on the Keydets early by playing solid defense, rebounding the ball and then pushing the tempo. VMI wanted to play fast, but did not anticipate that the fast pace would help the Hokies take command of the ball game. In the first half VT shot 66% from the field, 50% from behind the arc and 80% from the free-throw line, which are numbers that Coach Buzz was elated with as the Hokies took a 51-27 lead at halftime. On the defensive end, the Hokies were able to control the quick-shooting Keydets by limiting second chance opportunities and beating the VMI defense down the floor.
In the second half VT slowed just a bit, while maintaining a safe lead the whole time. Although the second half was not as clean and crisp as the first, with VT only shooting 40% from the field and 65% from the free-throw line, it was nice to see VT control the game and pace against a quality opponent who has played many good teams in this early season (WVU, Maryland, Mercer).
| STARTERS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | PTS | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Henry, F | 24 | 3-8 | 0-0 | 0-2 | 6 | |||||||||||
| Justin Bibbs, G | 34 | 6-10 | 0-0 | 8-10 | 20 | |||||||||||
| Ahmed Hill, G | 32 | 4-9 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 10 | |||||||||||
| Adam Smith, G | 32 | 5-13 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 10 | |||||||||||
| Devin Wilson, G | 34 | 4-6 | 2-2 | 6-7 | 16 | |||||||||||
| BENCH | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | PTS | |||||||||||
| Joey Van Zegeren, F | 14 | 4-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8 | |||||||||||
| Christian Beyer, F | 8 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Jalen Hudson, G | 17 | 5-7 | 0-1 | 2-3 | 12 | |||||||||||
| Malik Muller, G | 5 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 3 | |||||||||||
| TOTALS | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | PTS | ||||||||||||
| 33-62 | 4-7 | 17-24 | 87 | |||||||||||||
| 53.2% | 57.1% | 70.8% | ||||||||||||||
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hokies?src=hash">#Hokies</a> see 5 players score in double figures for the 1st time this season: Bibbs 20, Wilson 16, Hudson 12, Hill/Smith 10.</p>— VT Men's Basketball (@VT_MBBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/VT_MBBall/status/547216637754372096">December 23, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Virginia Tech will be back in action Saturday, December 27th at 7pm as the Hokies host Presbyterian.
Go Hokies!
Television/Internet: ESPN3 - Andrew Allegretta & Mack McCarthy
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network - Bill Roth & Mike Burnop
Also available on: Satellite: Sirius 134