National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Virginia Tech 64, East Tennessee St. 53
When: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, November 12, 2011
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia
Officials: # Brian O'Connell, # Roger Ayers, # Jamie Luckie
Attendance: 7189
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia
Officials: # Brian O'Connell, # Roger Ayers, # Jamie Luckie
Attendance: 7189
Virginia Tech improved to 9-0 in season openers under coach Seth Greenberg with a 64-53 win over East Tennessee State on Saturday.
The Hokies struggled to find a go-to player, shooting just 39.6 percent, and produced only three double-digit scorers: Tyrone Garland with 13, Robert Brown with 12 and highly recruited freshman Dorian Finney-Smith with 10.
ESTU (0-1) was led by Adam Sollazzo, who came off the bench to score 13 points. Isiah Brown and Sheldon Cooley each scored 10. The Buccaneers struggled from the field and Cooley hit only 5 of his 16 shots.
Virginia Tech led 24-21 at halftime and was never able to significantly distance itself from ETSU. East Tennessee drew within 55-51 with 1:54 left on a layup by Lukas Poderis, but could get no closer as the Hokies hit four straight free throws.
Virginia Tech, now 48-2 in home openers at Cassell Coliseum, improved to 14-3 against East Tennessee State.
Top Game Performances
| East Tennessee St. | Virginia Tech | |
| Adam Sollazzo 13 | Scoring | Tyrone Garland 13 |
| Adam Sollazzo 2 | Assists | Dorian Finney-Smith 5 |
| Lukas Poderis 7 | Rebounds | Dorian Finney-Smith 16 |
| Isiah Brown 6 | Free Throws Made | Tyrone Garland 7 |
| Sheldon Cooley 3 | Steals | Cadarian Raines 3 |
| Isiah Brown 1 | Blocks | Dorian Finney-Smith 4 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
| East Tennessee St. | 53 | 29.7 | 2-17 | 13-22 | 4 | 31 | 1 | 5 | |
| Virginia Tech | 64 | 39.6 | 5-18 | 21-30 | 13 | 38 | 9 | 7 |