BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP)—Carlos Dixon scored 19 points and Virginia Tech used a 19-5 run midway through the second half to pull away for a 77-53 victory over James Madison on Saturday night.
Dixon hit two layups and a jumper as Virginia Tech (5-2) opened the game with an 8-0 run and never trailed. Dixon also made all three of his 3-point attempts and had three steals.
James Madison (2-3) cut the Hokies’ lead to three on three occasions, the last on Ray Barbosa’s layup with 10:38 remaining in the first half, but Virginia Tech gradually built a 42-24 halftime lead.
The Dukes got within 12 when Barbosa hit a 3-pointer to make it 53-41 with 11:11 left, but that was as close as the Dukes could get.
Virginia Tech shot only 43 percent from the field but turned 23 James Madison turnovers into 27 points. The Dukes shot just 41 percent and were outscored 24-9 from 3-point range.
Zabian Dowdell and Marquie Cooke scored 12 points apiece for Virginia Tech, and Coleman Collins added 10. Deron Washington had 10 rebounds.
Cavell Johnson scored 17 points for James Madison, and Barbosa added 14.
