Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Erick Green scored a career-high 31 points,
including the last five points of overtime, as the Virginia Tech Hokies
outlasted the Bradley Braves, 66-65, in the third round of the Las Vegas
Classic at Orleans Arena.
The Hokies will now meet the winner of the Portland/Colorado State matchup on
Sunday, while the Braves face off with the loser of that game.
For the Hokies (9-2), Cadarian Raines added 16 points and Jarell Eddie
finished with 12 points.
Dyricus Simms-Edwards led the Braves (8-3) with 15 points, while Tyshon
Pickett and Jordan Prosser each chipped in with 10 points. Walt Lemon, Jr.
turned the ball over 10 times for the Braves.
Although Bradley shot just 40 percent from the field in the first half, it
connected on 6-of-12 from 3-point range as it went into halftime comfortably
ahead, 35-25.
In the second half, both teams struggled from the field. The Hokies managed
to shoot just 36.7 percent from the floor and missed all but two of their 10
three-point attempts. The Braves were even worse, making only 25.9 percent of
their field goal attempts. After trailing by eight, 51-43, midway through the
second half, the Hokies went on a 10-0 run to take the lead, 53-51, with just
under five minutes remaining in regulation. Still trailing by two with eleven
seconds to play, Lemon, Jr. forced a turnover and converted a layup to tie the
game 55-55. A Green jumper at buzzer would not fall and the game went to
overtime.
In the extra session, the Braves actually led by five with 49 seconds to play,
but a turnover and three missed free throws allowed Virginia Tech to score the
game's final six points to escape with the overtime victory.
Virginia Tech was able to convert 20 Hokie turnovers into 22 points. The
Hokies themselves turned the ball over 24 times, but the Braves couldn't take
advantage of these miscues enough, scoring only 13 points off of them.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network