Amani Hansberry scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting to lead Virginia Tech to a 96-67 home win over Mercer on Thursday night at Cassell Coliseum. The senior forward also grabbed five rebounds in a game where the Hokies shot 49% from the field and converted 8 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc.
Virginia Tech improved to 2-0 this season with the victory, following a strong start against Coppin State earlier in the week. Junior point guard Ben Hammond contributed 16 points, five steals, and four assists. Hammond’s defensive impact is notable, as he now has 12 steals in just two games. Senior guard Jaylen Curry added 14 points, while Isaiah Elohim chipped in 11.
The Hokies showed progress in areas that had hampered them in their opener. Their free-throw shooting improved from 65% to 77%, making 20 of 26 attempts. Turnovers also dropped significantly, with Virginia Tech committing only four compared to 14 in their first game. These improvements will likely please head coach Mike Young as the team gains cohesion early in the season.
Coming off the bench, junior guard Tyler Johnson scored 8 points and pulled down a game-high 9 rebounds. In two games, Johnson has totaled 21 points and 16 rebounds, providing a steady presence as a substitute. His 6-foot-5 frame has added a physical element to the Hokies’ second unit.
Virginia Tech’s next game is scheduled for Tuesday, when they travel to Sioux City, Iowa, to face the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hokies will look to maintain their strong start as they continue their non-conference slate on the road.
According to Yahoo Sports.
