Erick Green scored 29 points on his Senior Night, leading the Hokies to a 69-61 win over the Clemson Tigers on Saturday evening in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies have now won two of their last three games, and improved to 13-16 overall and 4-12 in the ACC. Clemson dropped to 13-15, with a 5-11 mark in conference play.
Green was his usual efficient self, scoring his 29 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a 5-of-7 mark from three-point range. He was also 8-of-10 from the free throw line. He threw his entire offensive arsenal at the Tigers, scoring on runners in the lane, three-pointer off screens, ankle breakers, and the charity stripe. It was a good way to go out for the nation's leading scorer.
"Getting a win [was the best part]," Green said. "My teammates came out and played hard for me on my Senior NIght. It was a special moment for me. I was teared up coming out there with my family."
With his 29 points, Green became the third player in Tech history to score 700 points in a season. The others are Bimbo Coles and Dell Curry.
Green had help. For the fourth consecutive game, C.J. Barksdale was the team's second leading scorer and the leading rebounder. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. The Hokies would not have beaten Florida State or Clemson without his contributions.
"I think I'm just adjusting [to the speed of the game] and being more aggressive out there," Barksdale said. "I'm looking for my shot and playing more confident. It comes a time where you just have to stop thinking out there and start playing. That's what I've been doing, and I'm going to keep doing it for the rest of my career."
Robert Brown also had a nice game for the Hokies, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He was 4-of-8 against Florida State and 3-of-8 against Miami. Brown has attacked the basket more, rather than settling for jump shots.
"It's a little bit of everything. The game is slowing down, and I'm getting more comfortable," Brown said. "I'm getting my confidence back. Staying in the gym. I know I've been telling ya'll that I've been in the gym, and I've continued to stay in the gym with Coach Johnson."
Virginia Tech outrebounded Clemson 33-21. They also outshot the Tigers 54.8% to 42.6%. The Hokies were 6-of-13 (46.2%) from three-point range and 17-of-22 (77.3%) from the free throw line.
Tech will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Duke. Tipoff is set for 7pm, and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
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