Early second-half run pushes Virginia Tech past Charleston Southern

A 27-3 run to open the second half propelled Virginia Tech to an easy 98-67 season-opening win over Charleston Southern in Blacksburg, Va.

The visiting Buccaneers stayed within 42-38 at halftime, but in just over eight minutes, the Hokies expanded the lead to 69-41 and ran away with the game from there.

Virginia Tech (1-0) benefitted from a pair of double-doubles to pace the squad. Top returning scorer and rebounder Tobi Lawal tallied 20 points and 12 boards, while West Virginia transfer Amani Hansberry notched 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Former Oral Roberts and UNLV guard Jailen Bedford added 13 points and five rebounds for the Hokies. Greek freshman point guard Neoklis Avdalas shot just 3-for-13 for eight points but dished nine assists with just a single turnover.

Virginia Tech made five 3-pointers during the 27-3 run to open the second half, while also benefitting from a dunk and six free throws from Lawal in that run. Charleston Southern (0-1) shot 1-for-15 during that span, which put the game away early. Tech pushed the lead as high as 36 points and won the rebounding battle 54-41.

Charleston Southern got a big first half from guard Brycen Blaine, who had 16 of his 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in the opening stanza. Blaine shot just 7-for-21 overall, although he was 6-for-12 from 3-point range.

Reis Jones added 15 points off the bench. A'Lahn Sumler returned from missing last season due to injury with 13 points and nine rebounds in his first game back.

Overall, the Buccaneers shot just 32.4% (23-for-71) and 25% (9-for-36) after halftime.

Virginia Tech will return to action on Saturday in a neutral-site game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville, Connecticut, against Providence. Charleston Southern will next host Division II Toccoa Falls on Thursday.

--Field Level Media