Hokies Win Rollercoaster Home Game, End Three-Game Losing Streak

STAFF PHOTO BY KEVIN CUPP

After being away from the comforts of Cassell since their season opener against Elon almost a month ago, the Hokies grabbed a 65-51 victory Saturday over UNC Asheville to end a three-game skid.

While no one is complaining about a win, the way the Hokies sealed that victory certainly was not pretty.

While leading 32-23 at halftime, Tech allowed the Bulldogs to start the second half on a 10-2 run that pulled them within a point. With 6:55 left on the clock, Asheville took a 44-41 lead after a layup and free throw by guard Vincent James. That lead did not stand long as the players responded to the support of crowd. The Hokies rallied with an 18-2 run over four minutes and never looked back.

“I wasn’t pleased with our effort but I thought the crowd was great. They didn’t allow us to lose…we just needed to give them something to cheer about and we finally did,” said Hokie coach Seth Greenberg after the game.

Lacking a clear identity on the offensive end, the young team scored only seven points through the first twelve and a half minutes of the second half. Part of this was due to freshman Jeff Allen’s foul trouble, his 29 minutes and 15 points per game reduced to only 2 points and only 3 minutes of playing time in the second half.

Allen’s sub, sophomore Lewis Witcher, was able to step up with a career high 11 points and a rebound dunk to avoid a shot clock violation with 2:30 left to play that gave Tech its first double-digit lead and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Coming into the game, Witcher had only five points all season.

“Lewis did a great job, he came in with a lot of energy. He has some great moves and hopefully he’ll keep it up the rest of the season,” said junior scoring leader A.D. Vassallo.

Deron Washington continued to show his growing versatility, finishing the game with 17 points and just 2 rebounds shy of another double-double.

“I think my biggest improvement is just being comfortable with the ball. I’ve been working on my middle game all season so no one can just play off me and block up the lane…I can hit the mid-range jumper now,” said Washington.

Washington also likes the direction the team is heading in.

“We’re growing great. We’re taking a step every game and all the freshman are stepping up real good. A.D. is fitting into the role of a leader and everyone is playing hard and practicing hard and it seems like we’re growing as a team and maturing really fast,” he said.

After Saturday night’s victory, Tech’s competition starts to heat up from this point on. Tuesday the Hokies will host a UNC Greensboro team that has already handed fellow ACC opponent Georgia Tech a loss on its home floor. Senior forward Kyle Hines is averaging nearly eighteen points and nine rebounds per game this season, something Greenberg is well aware of.

“They are really good. Hines is terrific and they’re really well coached. They’re going to come in expecting to win.”

The game is at 7 pm on Tuesday night.

Game Leaders
Scoring: VT- Washington and Vassallo 17. UNC Asheville-Augst 12
Rebounds: VT-Washington 8, UNC Asheville- Augst 7
Assists: VT- Thorns 4, UNC Asheville- Garland 4
Steals: VT- Allen and Vassallo 2, UNC Asheville- James 3
Blocks: VT- Diakite and Allen 2,UNC Asheville- James 3