Box Score

ODU 72, VT 69

 

NORFOLK, Va. - Virginia Tech cut a 12-point halftime deficit to two points, but could not recapture the lead and lost 72-69 at Old Dominion on Sunday evening at the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk.

ODU jumped out to a 14-point lead late in the first period and led 45-33 at the half, before the Hokies went on an 8-0 run to open the second half. The Hokies continued the comeback, cutting the score to 71-69 on a three-point basket by junior A.D. Vassallo (Toa Baja, P.R.) with 26 seconds remaining. After ODU made one of two free throws with 19 seconds to play, the Hokies missed a late shot. A desperation shot at the buzzer was off and the Monarchs held on for the 72-69 victory.

The Hokies, now 5-4 overall, were led by Vassallo, who scored 20 points. Freshman Malcolm Delaney (Baltimore, Md.) scored 17 points and freshman Jeff Allen (Washington, D.C.) recorded his third straight double-double with 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Senior Deron Washington (New Orleans, La.) added 11 points for the Hokies.

Old Dominion improves to 6-4 on the season. Brandon Johnson led four Monarchs in double figures with 15 points.

The Hokies outrebounded the Monarchs, 45-25, including a 17-5 advantage on the offensive boards. Tech tied a season-high with 16 turnovers in the game, while forcing ODU into 10 turnovers.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Wednesday night, as they host in-state foe Liberty at Cassell Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.