Second Half Surge Propels Virginia Tech Past UNF

Monday, December 19

Blacksburg, Va.

7 pm

University of North Florida

Virginia Tech

12/19/2011 9:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Final Boxscore (PDF)
Game Book

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The North Florida basketball team battled for a half before a hot-shooting Virginia Tech mounted 44 points in the second half to earn an 84-55 victory Monday night at Cassell Coliseum.

The Ospreys (5-7) got 13 points from Travis Wallace and a season best 11 points, six rebounds by Matt Sauey.

Virginia Tech (9-3) posted a fourth straight win behind a quartet of double-digit performers led by 16 points for Dorenzo Hudson.

“I thought we came in prepared and played well early but weren't able to sustain it,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “I'm disappointed in our effort tonight and didn't think we played well. Give Virginia Tech credit for doing the things they needed to do to get the win. Now we just have to get back to work and find a way to get better.”

The Hokies, who led throughout the first half, used a pair of runs at the start and end of the period to build a 40-31 halftime advantage.

VT jumped in front quickly taking a 10-3 lead just four minutes into play. The Ospreys battled back and closed the gap to one, 20-19, on the strength of an 8-2 run of their own. During the stretch, UNF held Tech scoreless for nearly four minutes.

A string of eight free throws allowed the Hokies to extend their lead back to seven, 28-21, but North Florida again battled back pulling to within a single point on a trey from Parker Smith with 2:15 left in the period.

Virginia Tech answered with a 10-2 spurt to close the half capped by a three-pointer for Jarell Eddie at the buzzer.

The two squads traded baskets out of the break before Virginia Tech used a 19-5 run over a 7-minute stretch in the second half to gain control of the contest. Erick Green and Robert Brown combined to score 13 of the 19 points in that run.

The Hokies shot a blistering 61 percent from the floor in the second half and finished the game at 54 percent shooting. For the game, Virginia Tech outrebounded the Ospreys, 37-25, and had 24 points off of 16 UNF miscues.

North Florida closes its three-game road trek Wednesday at Florida A&M.