No. 2 Virginia holds on to defeat Virginia Tech
No. 2 Virginia handed Virginia Tech their fifth loss in a row by defeating the Hokies 69-57 in Charlottesville on Saturday.
Four Cavaliers starters racked up double-digit points to help their team avoid an upset by the Hokies and earn their eighth consecutive victory.
Virginia Tech was leading until Malcolm Brogdon sunk two free throws and made a layup, assisted by Darion Atkins, to push the Cavaliers ahead with less than six minutes left in the first half. Brogdon finished the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and one steal.
The Cavaliers pulled away in the second half. Atkins and Anthony Gill put up 16 points each, making it unlikely for the Hokies to catch up.
Virginia Tech guard Adam Smith was clutch for his team, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds and one assist to bring the Hokies within five points of the Cavaliers in the second half, but they couldn't stop Virginia's run.
Virginia will look to earn its ninth win in a row when they travel to Syracuse on March 2.