Collegiate Times

Image: 2011-02-22 23:15:13

The Virginia Tech basketball team rebounded from Saturday’s loss at Virginia to defeat Wake Forest, 76-62. 

This game was a must-win for the Hokies (18-8, 8-5) as they continue their push for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.

Wake Forest, the uncontested worst team in the Atlantic Coast Conference, drops to 8-20 overall and just 1-12 in conference play.

The Hokies had a sluggish start to the game in which forward Jeff Allen picked up two quick fouls and they committed 11 first half turnovers. 

With 5:42 remaining in the first half and Tech holding a narrow 20-18 lead, forward Jarell Eddie hit a three-pointer and the Hokies broke open a 38-25 halftime lead.

Eddie, who did not play against Virginia because of a "coach's decision" after he was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, had his best game of the season.

He finished a perfect 6-6 from the floor for 17 points, and also tallied nine rebounds.

Eddie’s scoring, along with two points from Manny Atkins accounted for a total of 19 bench points, an improvement from the eight points the Tech bench had scored over the previous four games.

Malcolm Delaney and Allen each added 17 points in the victory.

The Hokies have three days to prepare for Saturday’s showdown, when consensus No. 1 Duke comes to Blacksburg.

Tech’s last win over a No. 1 team was a 78-71 triumph over Wake Forest in January 2009.

A win against Duke would almost certainly lock up an NCAA bid for the Hokies.

A version of this article appeared in the Feb 23 issue of the Collegiate Times.