Virginia Tech rode a 53-point first half, fueled by leading scorers Neoklis Avdalas and Amani Hansberry, to a 96-74 nonconference win over Western Carolina on Thursday in Blacksburg, Va.

Avdalas led the Hokies (9-2) with 30 points, the first time the freshman scored more than 20 points since posting a season-high 33 on Nov. 8 against Providence. Hansberry chipped in 18 points, team-high totals of six assists and four steals, plus six rebounds.

The Catamounts (4-6) weren't able to weather an off night from leading scorer Julien Soumaoro, who finished with nine points on 3-for-11 shooting from the field while committing four turnovers. Marcus Kell picked up the slack with 22 points, and Justin Johnson scored 15.

Western Carolina had as solid a first half as it could have asked for, consid

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