BLACKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Virginia Tech cruised to a 96-74 victory over Western Carolina in a nonconference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies built a commanding 53-34 lead by halftime and maintained control throughout the second half before an announced crowd of 4,288.

The win improved Virginia Tech’s record to 9-2, while Western Carolina fell to 4-6. The Hokies’ offense proved efficient, shooting over 50% from the floor and from three-point range. The Catamounts were led by Fischer Brown, but could not overcome the early deficit. Virginia Tech covered the pregame spread as the heavy favorite.