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The Hokies cruised to another dominating win over Coppin State, repeating last year’s contest, this time by an impressive 97-57 scoreline. It moves the Hokies to 6-1 on the year on the back of 18-point nights for sophomores Nahiem Alleyne and Jalen Cone. Big wins typically mean giving extra minutes to the bench and freshmen Darius Maddox and Joe Bamisile stepped up with nine points each.
Hokies are now shooting 45% from the floor and the big 20 3-pointer Saturday night lifted their mark from behind the arc past 37% on the season. Nahiem Alleyne has taken a big step forward this year, scoring in double digits in five of the Hokies seven games as he leads Tech with 16 made 3-pointers.
Up next is the 1-6 Longwood Lancers. The Hokies last played Longwood back in 2011 with Tech coming out on top 70-52. Longwood has just one win on the season, against North Carolina A&T, has had two games canceled, and has already lost to Radford twice. However, they scored 89 in their last game (a two-point loss to The Citadel) with four players in double digits and forward Leslie Nkereuwem breaking out with 20. They can clearly score, but expect the Hokies to control the court once again Monday night.
Was good seeing @rexjoee & Darius shine down the stretch last night
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 20, 2020
The two freshmen combined for 18 points & four rebounds, showing flashes of their potential & what's to come#StoneByStone | #Hokies pic.twitter.com/SP1HsZgfYF
Monday, December 21, 2020
Matchup: Virginia Tech (6-1 | 1-0) vs. Longwood (1-6 | 0-0)
Venue: Cassell Coliseum (Blacksburg, VA)
Time: 8:00 pm ET
TV: ACC Network
Radio: TuneIn Radio
Live stats: HokieSports
ESPN Favorite: 96.6% for the Hokies
All-time series: 3-0 in favor of Virginia Tech
.@Nahiem10 posted his fifth double figures scoring outing last night with 18 points
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 20, 2020
He's been on fire from downtown as of late, making eight of his last 14 3-point attempts (57%) his last two games #StoneByStone | #Hokies pic.twitter.com/wDXmtjQTds
Stat Leaders
Scoring: Aluma (VT - 14.9) & Munoz (Longwood - 15.9)
Rebounds: Aluma (VT - 7.1) & Hill (Longwood- 5.3)
Assists: Mutts (VT - 2.6) & Hill (Longwood - 4.4)
After Monday’s game, the Hokies have eight days off before Miami comes to Blacksburg for Tech’s second ACC contest on the 29th. It’s been a favorable home schedule for Tech so far this season, as they’ve adjusted to the new squad and built confidence — hopefully sitting 8-1 next week and looking ahead to a trip to Charlottesville in early January.