Blacksburg, Va. (Nov. 7, 2022) --- Virginia Tech shot 55 percent from the field, including 50 percent on three-point shots, to highlight its 95-57 men's basketball victory over Delaware State in the 2022-23 opener for each team at Cassell Coliseum this evening.
Forward Grant Basile led the Hokies with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the field, including 6-for-9 on three-point shots. He also tied for game-high honors with 10 rebounds.
Guards Sean Pedulla and Darius Maddox added 18 and 14 points, respectively, for the Hokies.
Delaware State was led by guard Khyrie Staten (so.; Baltimore, Md.) with a career-high 16 points (7-15 FG; 2-6 3pt), while newcomer Brandon Stone (sr.; Scottsdale, Pa.) added 15 points (7-13 FG; 1-3 3pt) and topped the Hornets with eight rebounds.
Delaware State was outrebounded 42-24 in the contest.
The Hornets scored first in the contest when Jevin Muniz (fr.; Bethlehem, Pa.) knocked down a three-pointer on the team's first shot of the season.
Less than a minute later, Delaware State led 6-2 after a three-pointer by Staten. The Hornets held their final lead of the game, 8-5, on a short jumper by Ray Somerville at the 18:17 mark of the first half.
The Hokies answered with a 24-6 run over the next eight minutes, and opened up a 29-14 lead on a basket by M.J. Collins with 10:08 left in the first half.
Virginia Tech was ahead 56-31 at the break. The Hokies shot a blistering 62.5% from the field in the half (20-for-32), while also hitting the same percentage from beyond the arc (10-for-16).    
Basile led the way with 23 points in the opening 20 minutes.
The Hokies led by as many as 40 points in the second half.
The Hornets are back in action on Thursday (Nov. 10) for the home opener against Immaculata (Pa.). Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Bayhealth Court in Memorial Hall.