Erik Reynolds II provided 25 factors to information host Saint Joseph’s to an 82-62 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday in a Vacation Hoopfest matchup in Philadelphia.
The Hawks (8-4) shot a scorching 15-of-32 from 3-point vary, led by sturdy efforts from Reynolds (5-of-11), Derek Simpson (4-of-8) and Anthony Finkley (3-of-4). Simpson and Rasheer Fleming chipped in 18 factors apiece for Saint Joseph’s, whereas Finkley had 13 off the bench.
Ben Burham and Ben Hammond scored 11 factors every to tempo the Hokies (5-7).
After the Hawks led by two factors at halftime, Fleming and Simpson every drained a 3-pointer early within the second half to create a 40-32 benefit. Shortly thereafter, Fleming went 4-of-4 from the foul line and Simpson knocked down one other triple to increase the margin to 47-34.
Halfway by means of the half, the Hokies obtained their deficit all the way down to 10 on two events. Nonetheless, Fleming responded with a 3-pointer the primary time and Finkley hit a triple after Virginia Tech obtained it all the way down to 10 the second time.
Saint Joseph’s cruised to the end line, sealing its second straight snug victory.
The sport obtained off to a sluggish begin, as there have been solely 4 complete factors scored within the first 4 minutes. The groups continued to jockey forwards and backwards for a bit till Saint Joseph’s turned a 15-13 lead right into a 12-point benefit utilizing a 10-0 run.
Justice Ajogbor and Finkley every scored a bucket to start that surge earlier than Finkley’s 3-pointer created the primary double-digit lead of the sport. Fleming’s layup off an help from Simpson made it 25-13 with about seven minutes left within the half.
Nonetheless, the Hawks’ momentum didn’t final lengthy, because the Hokies scored the following 15 factors to go forward by three. Brandon Rechsteiner’s 3-pointer capped the key push by the guests, who held Saint Joseph’s with out a level for greater than 4 ½ minutes.
Reynolds answered the large run by Virginia Tech with a layup and a 3-pointer within the remaining 2 ½ minutes, serving to Saint Joseph’s regain a 32-30 lead on the break.
–Area Stage Media
