The Virginia Tech Hokies used a +13 margin on the glass in the second half to outscore the VMI Keydets by 24 points over the final 20 minutes, en route to a 76-52 victory at Cassell Coliseum Saturday evening in Blacksburg.
The game was tied, 29-29 at halftime, thanks in large part to 18 first half points from VMI’s (1-2) QJ Peterson, but VT (2-1) limited the Keydets to 8 of 39 (20.5%) shooting and just two second chance points over the final 20 minutes to claim the victory.
VMI was led by Peterson’s 26 points in defeat, and he also chipped in six rebounds, while Julian Eleby added 15.
The Keydets finished the game shooting just 25.7% (19 of 74) from the floor and 9 of 33 (27.3%) from three-point range. The story of the percentages, however, came at the free throw line, where the Hokies were 24 of 33 (72.7%) while limiting the Keydets to just 5 of 6.
The first half was dominated by Peterson, as he hit 7 of 15 from the floor, including 4 of 9 from long range en route to his 18-point performance. VMI had 11 points off 11 Hokie turnovers, but VT shot 15 of 18 from the foul line while the Keydets failed to get to the line.
The game went to the locker room tied, but Tech quickly jumped ahead in the second half. The Hokies outscored the Keydets 21-11 in the first nine minutes to take their first double-digit lead of the night, and the margin grew from there. VMI was still within 16, 66-50, with 3:37 left, but the Hokie defense stiffened and limited the visitors to just two points for the remainder of the game.
The Hokies put six players in double figures, led by Allen’s 17 and Clark’s 14. Zach LeDay added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, an effort that sparked Tech’s 49-37 edge on the glass that, in the second half, was a +13 margin.
VMI basketball will return to action Tuesday, when the Keydets play host to former conference opponent Presbyterian College at Cameron Hall. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
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