Erick Green scored 25 points to lead Virginia Tech past Rhode Island 69 to 50 on Monday night. Cadarian Raines added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Tech. James Johnson improves to 2 and 0 as a head coach.
In Charlottesville, the Cavaliers overcame a slow start to beat Fairfield 54 to 45. Joe Harris scored 15 points for UVA. Tony Bennett's team is now 1-1 on the year. The Wahoos won their home opener for the 16th straight season.
“I think they hit some tough shots and they were getting offensive rebounds, getting in the lane, and certainly when they were left open, they were making them all the more. Now, teams hit shots and our defense has to live with it, but that hurt us on the defensive end," Bennett said.
