Wake Forest University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest Blows Past Virginia Tech 83-77
1/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2014
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By Alex Botoman, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@TieDyeNation)
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Codi Miller-McIntyre and Travis McKie both hit the 20-point mark as Wake Forest turned a strong start into a 83-77 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday night at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.
The Demon Deacons (13-6, 3-3 ACC) held the Hokies (8-10, 1-5 ACC) without a field goal through the first four minutes on the way to building a 21-point first half lead. Virginia Tech made a run late in the second half and drew as close as six points in the waning seconds, but Wake Forest weathered the storm to hold on for the win.
Miller-McIntyre dished out 10 assists to compliment his 20 points, becoming the first Demon Deacon since Chris Paul during the 2004-05 season to score 20 points and hand out 10 dimes in a game.
Playing in his home state for perhaps the final time, Richmond native Travis McKie led the Demon Deacons with 24 points, 15 of them coming in a high-powered first half. The senior knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers in addition to pulling down six rebounds.
Wake Forest got solid performances from top to bottom. Devin Thomas grabbed nine rebounds in addition to scoring seven points. Tyler Cavanaugh, Arnaud William Adala Moto and Andre Washington chipped in seven points apiece with Adala Moto also adding seven boards.
The Demon Deacons shot 54 percent in the game while holding the Hokies to only 34 percent shooting.
It was apparent from the start that it would be Wake Forest's night in Blacksburg. The Deacons forced the Hokies to miss their first 11 field goals while building a 10-2 lead through the opening five minutes.
The Deacs continued to expand their advantage, going ahead by as many as 21 points in the opening period and taking a 43-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
McKie put on a first-half show in his home state, going 4-for-4 from 3-point range and 5-for-7 from the field to pour in 15 points.
The Hokies cut the lead to 10 points at the start of the second half before Miller-McIntyre made back-to-back buckets to push momentum back into Wake Forest's favor. Virginia Tech made one final attempt at a rally as the clock ticked down, getting to within eight points with less than three minutes remaining, but the Deacons made their free throws down the stretch before the Hokies got within six - their closest - on the final shot of the game.
Wake Forest returns home to host Notre Dame on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. The Deacons and Irish will be meeting for the first time as conference rivals. Their only previous meeting came in the championship game of the 2000 Postseason NIT, which Wake Forest won. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network and can also be heard on the Wake Forest IMG Sports Network.
