Last-Second Tip-In Lifts Hokies Over Eagles
By David CooperJanuary 23, 2010
Whether it's football or basketball, the Boston College Eagles always give the Virginia Tech Hokies trouble. Today was no different as this most recent men's basketball match-up at Cassell Coliseum went down to the wire.
With missed calls, bad shots, and lackluster showings on both sides of the ball, the Hokies came away with a tight victory, edging the Eagles 63-62.
Malcolm Delaney opened the game with consecutive three-pointers to give the Hokies early momentum that did not subside throughout the first half.
After Tech gained an early nine-point lead, the Eagles slowly clawed their way back in the game, but persisted to have poor transition defense as Tech capitalized on fast breaks and open jumpers.
As Boston College began to rally and make some shots, Tech's defense stiffened up and forced a few turnovers, stretching the Hokies' lead to as much as 14.
The Hokies never gave the lead up in the first half, shooting a decent 45 percent from the field, and going 4-11 from downtown to go into the break up 38-29.
Coming into the second half, the Eagles played more aggressively, collecting more defensive rebounds and gaining second-chance points, surging themselves within to a point for the most of the middle of the second half.
Leading the Eagles' resurgence was Reggie Jackson, guarded by Delaney for most of the contest. Jackson garnered a team high 15 points, and knocked down impressive shots most of the time.
Late in the second half, as the squads traded baskets, Terrell Bell and Dorenzo Hudson showed up to put the Hokies back on top after letting the lead slip from their grasp.
With under a minute left, the Eagles maintained a one-point lead on two separate occasions. Both Hudson and Delaney were fouled and send to the charity stripe, but missed their first free throws.
However, Boston College couldn't convert on its side of the floor, giving the ball back to the Hokies with enough to not only foul Delaney and watch him sink both free throws, but also watch Hudson sink the game winning lay-up off of an offensive rebound.
Victor Davila went up for a lay-up, but put a little too much on it. Today was not his best day as he went 3-8 from the field. Most of the five misses were attempted lay-ups that were too strong. Hudson went up for the offensive board and the ball rolled in the hoop, sinking the Eagles' bid for an impressive comeback.
"I don't think you've seen our best defensive effort yet. We still have a lot more to show," Bell said after the game. Contrary to his remark, the Hokies played good defense, causing 20 turnovers and collecting seven steals.
Even though the Hokies were out-shot percentage-wise by the Eagles, 55% to 36%, "we pride ourselves on defense. We just stuck with it and kept grinding it out," Bell also said.
Delaney was gimpy for most of the game, and it showed as he fell hard twice. Once on his ankle, and on the very last play, he fell square on his shoulder.
Despite the injuries, he played for 37 minutes, amassing 13 points and four assists.
"We were in the same position at BC last year. They missed a shot and we got a tip-in....it just shows how tough our team is, that we can go out and get a stop like that and win after being down three," Delaney said.
Last year, the Eagles beat the Hokies by one at Chestnut Hill. This year, the Hokies returned the favor in Blacksburg.
This conference win gives the Hokies a 15-3 record overall, and a 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference record. The Eagles are now 11-9 overall, and 2-4 in the ACC.
Virginia Tech's next game is against in-state rival University of Virginia on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Whether it's football or basketball, the Boston College Eagles always give the Virginia Tech Hokies trouble. Today was no different as this most recent men's basketball match-up at Cassell Coliseum went down to the wire.
With missed calls, bad shots, and lackluster showings on both sides of the ball, the Hokies came away with a tight victory, edging the Eagles 63-62.
Malcolm Delaney opened the game with consecutive three-pointers to give the Hokies early momentum that did not subside throughout the first half.
After Tech gained an early nine-point lead, the Eagles slowly clawed their way back in the game, but persisted to have poor transition defense as Tech capitalized on fast breaks and open jumpers.
As Boston College began to rally and make some shots, Tech's defense stiffened up and forced a few turnovers, stretching the Hokies' lead to as much as 14.
The Hokies never gave the lead up in the first half, shooting a decent 45 percent from the field, and going 4-11 from downtown to go into the break up 38-29.
Coming into the second half, the Eagles played more aggressively, collecting more defensive rebounds and gaining second-chance points, surging themselves within to a point for the most of the middle of the second half.
Leading the Eagles' resurgence was Reggie Jackson, guarded by Delaney for most of the contest. Jackson garnered a team high 15 points, and knocked down impressive shots most of the time.
Late in the second half, as the squads traded baskets, Terrell Bell and Dorenzo Hudson showed up to put the Hokies back on top after letting the lead slip from their grasp.
With under a minute left, the Eagles maintained a one-point lead on two separate occasions. Both Hudson and Delaney were fouled and send to the charity stripe, but missed their first free throws.
However, Boston College couldn't convert on its side of the floor, giving the ball back to the Hokies with enough to not only foul Delaney and watch him sink both free throws, but also watch Hudson sink the game winning lay-up off of an offensive rebound.
Victor Davila went up for a lay-up, but put a little too much on it. Today was not his best day as he went 3-8 from the field. Most of the five misses were attempted lay-ups that were too strong. Hudson went up for the offensive board and the ball rolled in the hoop, sinking the Eagles' bid for an impressive comeback.
"I don't think you've seen our best defensive effort yet. We still have a lot more to show," Bell said after the game. Contrary to his remark, the Hokies played good defense, causing 20 turnovers and collecting seven steals.
Even though the Hokies were out-shot percentage-wise by the Eagles, 55% to 36%, "we pride ourselves on defense. We just stuck with it and kept grinding it out," Bell also said.
Delaney was gimpy for most of the game, and it showed as he fell hard twice. Once on his ankle, and on the very last play, he fell square on his shoulder.
Despite the injuries, he played for 37 minutes, amassing 13 points and four assists.
"We were in the same position at BC last year. They missed a shot and we got a tip-in....it just shows how tough our team is, that we can go out and get a stop like that and win after being down three," Delaney said.
Last year, the Eagles beat the Hokies by one at Chestnut Hill. This year, the Hokies returned the favor in Blacksburg.
This conference win gives the Hokies a 15-3 record overall, and a 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference record. The Eagles are now 11-9 overall, and 2-4 in the ACC.
Virginia Tech's next game is against in-state rival University of Virginia on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Post a comment