Hokies Handle Bears In Basketball Opener

by Joanna Kiser
November 15, 2009

Sundays are quiet and relaxing for some, but not for Hokie basketball fans in Blacksburg. A sold-out crowd roared with excitement as the Virginia Tech men's basketball team beat the Brown University Bears in Cassell Coliseum 69 to 55.

The new and improved collection of student superfans known as the "Cassell Guard" kept the energy high, and pumped up the whole Coliseum. "The students were unbelievable," said Tech head coach Seth Greenberg. The 15 Cassell Guards stood at the entrance of each door handing out flyers with facts about Brown, including its roster, plus cheers and chants to fire up the crowd.

The Hokies got off to a fast start in the first half with Dorenzo Hudson; a junior from Charlotte, N.C., putting the first points on the board with a three. The Hokies would not relinquish that lead the rest of the way. Malcolm Delaney, a junior from Baltimore, Md., was the high scorer of the first half, racking up 10 points. Brown's high scorer for the first half was freshman Matt Sullivan of Willmette, Ill. with eight points.

"We played good for the first game, we started off good on defense...we got players that can score," said Delaney. Freshmen Erick Green and Ben Boggs saw the first action of their careers in the first half.  At the break the Hokies lead 34 to 23, though Brown held an edge in rebounds.

"Boggs did well, he was tough on defense, he's gonna be a great player in the ACC," Delaney said. Boggs scored his first and only two collegiate points in the second half.

Junior Jeff Allen, from Washington D.C., opened up the second half scoring, and lead the second half in points.  The defense struggled in spots as Tech's lead dwindled to just five points with 13:37 remaining. "We didn't have zip on D, but the offense we did well," Greenberg said. Delaney led all scorers with 21 points; Allen followed with 17.

"In a perfect world we would have been a little healthier," Greenberg said.  Prior to the game, injuries and sickness plagued the team.  Allen was hurt and had not practiced until Saturday, and Victor Davila lost 12 pounds from a bad case of the flu.

"I like our team." added Greenberg. "We won by 14 but should have won by 20 plus. But Brown was prepared... If we play like this on Tuesday, we're going to lose." The Hokies take on UNC Greensboro Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at home.