BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Malcolm Delaney scored 19 of his game-high 25 points in the first half to lead Virginia Tech past Quinnipiac 81-61 in a first-round NIT game Wednesday night.
The Hokies (24-8), who advanced to play Connecticut at home in the second round on a date to be determined, shrugged off the disappointment of not making the NCAA tournament by holding the Bobcats to 38.1 percent shooting from the floor (24 for 63) and outrebounding one of the nation’s best teams on the boards, 42-30.
Quinnipiac came in ranked No. 1 nationally in rebounding margin (plus 9.2) and seventh in rebounds per game (40.7).
Dorenzo Hudson added 19 for the Hokies.
Justin Rutty led Quinnipiac with 22 points, hitting 10 of 13 shots from the floor. James Johnson added 17 for the Bobcats.
