Hokies Lose NIT Quarterfinal to Rhode Island, Exit Cassell in Disappointment

By David Cooper
March 25, 2010

What started out as a back-and-forth match-up ended in heartbreak as the Virginia Tech Hokies lost their final game of the 2009-2010 season to the Rhode Island Rams, 79-72.

"We're really disappointed," said Tech's Jeff Allen. "We had plans of going to New York and playing in the championship, but unfortunately we didn't finish the game. As for next season, we just need to make corrections from this season's mistakes."

The Rams came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, which caught the Hokies off-guard and dictated a fast tempo in the first half.

Both teams attempted three-pointers within five to seven seconds of any given possession, which not only made the coaches irate, but further showed the explosive capability of each team, keeping the defense on its toes throughout the half.

Rhode Island maintained a lead for most of the half thanks to perimeter threats in Lamonte Ulmer and Delroy James. James also showed he could get into the lane and score in the paint.

Virginia Tech's bigs, Allen and Victor Davila, worked the paint stoutly as well.  Allen collected nine first half points, all coming off of emphatic plays that electrified the crowd and kept the noise at very high levels.

Hokie guards Malcolm Delaney and Dorenzo Hudson anchored the tech scoring attack.  Delaney also proved he could rebound from an off night against UConn as he was hot early in the game, consistently setting up and knocking down 3-pointers. He collected 12 first half points, and Hudson had nine of his own in the first half.

The game was truly a tale of two halves, however, as Rhode Island showed it could contend with the Hokies, and the lead changed hands on several occasions.

The darkest part of Tech's loss: building a 12-point lead then having it slowly chipped away because of fouls and quick spot-up threes. Virginia Tech lead 60-48 with 14:43 left on the clock; Rhode Island took the lead 61-60 at the 11-minute mark.

From then on, the rest of the second half was a constant exchange of marginal leads, which the Rams eventually seized and never relinquished at the 6-minute mark.

James proved to be the Rams' x-factor as he was the facilitator and the scorer for the remainder of the ballgame. 

A tearful Hudson, who finished the night with 19 points and one steal, said "we're going to have a great year next year. I have no doubt about that; I just feel like there's stuff we need to work on."

One bright spot: the Hokies have tied their record for most wins in a season at 25.