Nov. 21, 2005

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Deron Washington scored 17 points as Virginia Tech beat Marshall 71-54 Monday night.

It was the second straight game where the sophomore stepped up to fill the void left by Coleman Collins, who is out due to family issues.

Zabian Dowdell added 16 points for Virginia Tech (4-1), and Jamon Gordon had 15.

Marshall (0-1) won the board battle 42-29 as forward Travis Aikens grabbed 11 rebounds. He also led the Thundering Herd with 16 points.

The Hokies countered by taking care of the ball, committing just six turnovers while forcing 17.

The Thundering Herd cut the lead to 38-33 in the opening minutes after the half. Aikens drove for a layup to cap a 7-0 run, but Marshall never got closer.

Dowdell's 3-pointer started an 11-1 spurt as the Hokies took control of the game 56-41 with 7:18 to play. Dowdell, coming back from first-half foul trouble, scored 14 of his 16 points down the stretch as Virginia Tech held off the Herd.

Chris Tucker's free throw opened a 67-47 lead with about three minutes left.