Hurricanes Drop ACC Tourney Opener To Hokies, 65-47
March 12, 2009
ATLANTA — Virginia Tech broke open a close game with a 14-0 run in the second half and beat Miami 65-47 in the ACC tournament on Thursday to keep the Hokies’ NCAA tournament hopes alive.
Virginia Tech (18-13) will top seed play North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinals on Friday.
Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg is trying to join his older brother, Radford coach Brad Greenberg, in the NCAA tournament. Radford won the Big South championship on Saturday.
Malcolm Delaney made only 1 of 10 shots from the field but made 14 of 15 free throws to lead Virginia Tech with 17 points.
The Hokies, who led by 14 points in the first half, were ahead only 43-37 midway through the second half before the 14-0 run to take a 57-37 lead with 7:15 to play.
Adrian Thomas and Jack McClinton led Miami (18-12) with nine points apiece. McClinton hit a three-pointer with 1:38 to go in the opening half to set a school record with a trey in an ACC-long 33-straight games. Thomas finished with a game-high three three-pointers for the Hurricanes.
Before the game, McClinton was honored with the Skip Prosser Award, given anually to the ACC’s top men’s basketball scholar-athlete. During halftime, Thomas received the Bob Bradley Spirit & Courage Award, given annually to a male or female basketball player, coach or team administrator who has overcome significant injury, illness or adversity in life to become a valuable contributor to his/her program and university.
