Liberty Flames at Virginia Tech Hokies
· CANCUN CHALLENGE
63 - 73
Virginia Tech pulls away from Liberty to win 73-63
Van Zegeren was one of four players in double figures for the Hokies (2-0), who won despite committing 19 turnovers and making 16-of-28 from the free-throw line. Adam Smith and Devin Wilson scored 13 points each, while Justin Bibbs finished with 10 points.
A 3-pointer by Bibbs with 38 seconds left in the first half enabled the Hokies to take a 31-28 lead at halftime. Virginia Tech hit four of its first six shots to start the second half, taking a 40-32 lead on a 3-pointer by Smith with 17:25 remaining.
The Flames (2-1) cut the lead to 65-59 on a jumper by James Johnson with 4:04 left. But coming out of a timeout, Virginia Tech got a short jumper from Smith with 3:33 to go, and Liberty didn't come closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Liberty hurt itself with 21 turnovers. The Flames were led by Tomasz Gielo, who scored 13.
TIP-INS
Virginia Tech: Hokies coach Buzz Williams served as an assistant on the staff of Liberty coach Dale Layer at Colorado State for four years (2000-04). The Hokies are 46-5 versus Big South schools. Virginia Tech leads the series 14-3.
Liberty: Layer served as an assistant on Williams' staff at Marquette during the 2008-09 season. Liberty is now 5-33 all-time against ACC schools.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech is at home against Appalachian State on Saturday.
Liberty travels to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.
How can I watch Liberty vs. Virginia Tech?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 63 - 73 |
| 2nd 0:04 | Joey van Zegeren Defensive Rebound. | 63 - 73 |
| 2nd 0:04 | Andrew Smith missed Two Point Tip Shot. | 63 - 73 |
| 2nd 0:04 | Andrew Smith Offensive Rebound. | 63 - 73 |
| 2nd 0:04 | Jordan Dembley missed Jumper. | 63 - 73 |
Statistics
 LIB |
 VT |
|
|---|---|---|
| 24-56 | FG | 25-41 |
| 43 | Field Goal % | 61 |
| 8-21 | 3PT | 7-13 |
| 38 | Three Point % | 54 |
| 7-10 | FT | 16-28 |
| 70 | Free Throw % | 57 |
| 31 | Rebounds | 26 |
| 12 | Offensive Rebounds | 6 |
| 19 | Defensive Rebounds | 20 |
| 14 | Assists | 16 |
| 6 | Steals | 9 |
| 1 | Blocks | 3 |
| 21 | Turnovers | 19 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 21 | Total Turnovers | 19 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Points Off Turnovers | 27 |
| 0 | Fast Break Points | 0 |
| 0 | Points in Paint | 0 |
| 21 | Fouls | 17 |
Game Information
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Attendance: 5,586 | Capacity:
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 2 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 8 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |
2025-26 Atlantic Coast Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 17-1 | - | 35-3 |
| Virginia | 15-3 | 2 | 30-6 |
| Miami | 13-5 | 4 | 26-9 |
| North Carolina | 12-6 | 5 | 24-9 |
| Clemson | 12-6 | 5 | 24-11 |
| Louisville | 11-7 | 6 | 24-11 |
| NC State | 10-8 | 7 | 20-14 |
| Florida State | 10-8 | 7 | 18-15 |
| California | 9-9 | 8 | 22-12 |
| Stanford | 9-9 | 8 | 20-13 |
| Virginia Tech | 8-10 | 9 | 19-13 |
| SMU | 8-10 | 9 | 20-14 |
| Wake Forest | 7-11 | 10 | 18-17 |
| Syracuse | 6-12 | 11 | 15-17 |
| Pittsburgh | 5-13 | 12 | 13-20 |
| Notre Dame | 4-14 | 13 | 13-18 |
| Boston College | 4-14 | 13 | 11-20 |
| Georgia Tech | 2-16 | 15 | 11-20 |