Ben Burnham, a Virginia Tech host, scored 17 points in a game-high 7-of-9 attempts as the team beat Navy 80-72 Sunday at Blacksburg.

Mylyjael poteat scored 12 points, and Rodney Brown Jr. added 11 each for the Hokies (5-6), which won their second consecutive game.

The Hokies were behind for most of the first half, but they shot 52.9 per cent as a group. This included 10-of-18 shots from beyond the 3-point line and 16-of-18 at the free throw line.

Navy (3-8) shot a staggering 72.2 percent (13 of 18) from the field in the first half. This included its first eight shots of the game. But after the halftime break, Navy only managed to shoot 33.3 percent. The Midshipmen lost despite having a rebounding advantage of 30-20. They committed eight turnovers per half.

Lysander Renstrom scored 14 points on the strength of four 3-pointers. Jordan Pennick scored 14 points, Austin Benigni had 13 and Jinwoo kim had 12.

Navy's three first field goals came from Pennick (three 3-pointers), Donovan Draper (two 3-pointers) and Rehnstrom, giving the Mids an early 11-5 lead. Virginia Tech responded with an 8-0 run but Navy dominated the next five minute. Kim's two free throws gave Navy a lead of 27-15 with 9:09 remaining in the first half.

Virginia Tech tied the score with 12 points. Brown scored two triples during the surge. The second one tied the score.

The Hokies scored 7 of 11 points from the 3-point line in the first quarter and used the long-ball to regain the lead. Burnham hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give his team a 46-40 halftime advantage.

Virginia Tech started to pull away. But Rehnstrom (2 3-pointers) along with Benigni (1 point) went on a 9-2 run, tying the game for one final time at 59. There was 11:58 remaining.

Navy was scoreless for 5:19 and Virginia Tech increased its lead to nine. Burnham's 3-pointer with 3:57 left on the shot clock sealed his outstanding performance. The Midshipmen were only 70-66 closer. Poteat's 3-point play a minute or so later sealed the deal.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)