ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Malcolm Delaney scored 18 points to spark Virginia Tech to a 69-52 victory over Eastern Washington on Wednesday in the first round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
Virginia Tech (2-0), making a rare trip west, seemed to have trouble adjusting to being three time zones away from home. They turned the ball over repeatedly and shot the ball poorly for the first 10 minutes. Consecutive 3-pointers by Delaney finally woke up the Hokies and triggered an 18-7 run for a 30-18 halftime lead.
Eastern Washington (1-4) wasn’t as far from home, but also had trouble getting untracked. The Eagles shot only 28 percent from the floor and 18 percent from 3-point range in the first half.
Delaney added two more 3-pointers and Hank Thorns chipped in with a pair to keep Eastern Washington at bay in the second half. Thorns finished with 14 points, 10 of them in the second half.
Eastern Washington improved its shooting in the second half, finishing at 39 percent accuracy. Trey Gross led the Eagles with 18 points, 14 of them in the second half.
Both teams finished with more turnovers than assists.
Virginia Tech plays Butler in the semifinals on Friday.
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