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BLACKSBURG, Va. – Jarell Eddie scored a game-high 24 points as host Virginia Tech outlasted Norfolk State 73-60 in the first-ever meeting between the schools on Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum.
Eddie was 6-of-9 from the floor, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line for the Hokies (7-3).
Chris McEachin notched 18 points and a career-high eight rebounds for NSU (6-4).
The Spartans led much of the first half as both Pendarvis Williams (12 points) and Kyle O'Quinn (10) reached double figures in scoring before halftime. But Eddie's first two 3-pointers of the game sparked a 13-2 Tech run that turned a 24-20 deficit into a 33-26 Tech led with 2:36 left before the intermission. Eddie hit two free throws to cap the spurt, giving him eight points in the run.
Eddie's third trey came 22 seconds before the half and gave the Hokies a 39-34 advantage going into the locker room.
The Spartans were unable to catch Tech in the second half, but the Hokies were couldn't shake NSU until the end. Tech's lead fluctuated between five and 10 points until the final minute of the game. Eddie's first 3-pointer of the second half extended Tech's lead to 10 for the first time in the stanza at 55-45 with 13:10 left. But McEachin answered with a 3-pointer and two free throws to cut the NSU deficit in half just two minutes later.
McEachin again brought NSU within five, 61-56, with a traditional three-point play with 4:55 left. But O'Quinn drew his fifth and disqualifying foul at the other end just 44 seconds later. Victor Davila hit two free throws to stretch Tech's lead to seven, and NSU hit just one field goal in the final four minutes as Tech pulled away.
Erick Green added 12 points and Cadarian Raines had 10 off the bench for the Hokies. Six of Raines' team-high tying seven boards came on the offensive end. Tech grabbed 16 offensive rebounds leading to 17 second-chance points. For the game, the Hokies outrebounded NSU 36-28, including a 16-6 edge in offensive boards.
O'Quinn finished with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks before fouling out. Williams also finished with 14 points for the Spartans.
NSU plays its final home game before the New Year this Wednesday as defending Northeast Conference champion Long Island visits Echols Hall for a 7 p.m. contest.
