March 25, 2008

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Hokies' A.D. Vassallo scored 18 points as Virginia Tech came out strong and never looked back, beating UAB 75-49 in the second round of the NIT Monday.

The Blazers close the campaign with a 23-11 record, which were tied for the fifth-most victories in school history. It was also the 18th time in the 30-year history of the men's basketball program the team finished with 20 or more victories in a season.

Two baskets by J.T. Thompson, sandwiched around a pair of free throws by Hank Thorns, gave the Hokies a 23-point edge at 53-30 with 12:24 left to play. Virginia Tech stretched it to 28 with 3:33 to play.

Tech forced 16 turnovers and scored 23 points off those Blazer miscues.

Up 17-7 just three minutes into the game, the Hokies ended the first half up 36-21. UAB's offensive attack was hampered early by two fouls in the first 3:05 on leading scorer Robert Vaden, who shot just 1 for 9 from the floor before the break.

Vaden finished with nine points for the Blazers (23-11). Reggie Huffman led UAB with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. It marked his team-leading seventh double-double of the campaign.

Malcolm Delaney scored 17 and Deron Washington 16 for Virginia Tech.