Bibbs, Hokies cruise to victory over Houston Baptist

Justin Bibbs scored 25 points, and Virginia Tech hit 16 3-pointers in a 99-73 win over HBU

November 21, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Justin Bibbs scored 25 points to carry Virginia Tech to a 99-73 non-conference victory over Houston Baptist at Carilion Clinic Court on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Hokies moved to 4-1 on the season. HBU fell to 1-4.

The hot-shooting Bibbs connected on all seven of his first-half field-goal attempts and scored 16 points for the Hokies, who were actually in a battle for much of the first 20 minutes. But Bibbs hit 3-pointers to bookend a 10-2 run to end the half and gave the Hokies a 44-38 halftime advantage — and the lead for good.

Bibbs hit 11 of 13 from the field overall, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He's now shooting 73 percent (27 of 37) from the field after sitting out the first two games for undisclosed reasons.

“I was extremely motivated,” Bibbs said. “It sucked being out watching my guys play, missing the first home game. I’m just motivated. It lit a fire under me, I guess.”

Bibbs also got the Hokies going in the second half, hitting a short jumper to open the scoring. He punctuated his evening with a dunk with 7:20 remaining before being taken out with 6:25 left and the Hokies up 81-56.

Ahmed Hill added 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers, as the Hokies shot 64 percent (32 of 50) from the field and hit 16 3's — just a game after canning 15 in a victory over Washington on Friday.

“I like that we have a lot of weapons,” Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams said. “I don't think we have, like, whatever the most powerful weapon is, but I think we have a lot of weapons that aren’t the most powerful, but if you can get the right grouping of weapons together, I really like them.”

Ian Dubose led HBU (1-4) with 15 points, while Josh Ibarra added 13. The Huskies shot just 39.4 percent (13 of 33) in the second half.

GAME NOTES

• The Hokies continue to score at an unbelievable pace and are now averaging 103.2 points per game. They have scored at least 99 points in four of their five games this season, and five players now are averaging in double figures, led by Bibbs’ 23.3 points per game.

• Bibbs’ 11 field goals were one short of his career high. He hit 12 in a game against Wake Forest on Jan. 13, 2016.

• Hill has hit at least three 3-pointers in four of the Hokies’ five games. More than half of his field goals this season – 20 – are 3-pointers, and he’s shooting 60.6 percent from beyond the arc.

• The Hokies have hit at least six 3-pointers in 15 consecutive games.

• Wabissa Bede scored a career-high 13 points in just 11 minutes. He went into Tuesday’s game having scored just 11 points.

UP NEXT

The Hokies return to action Saturday when they play host to Morehead State. The game tips at 1 p.m.

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