BLACKSBURG, Va. – In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday evening, Zimi Nwokeji showcased his skills, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Robert McCray V contributed with 17 points and eight assists, leading Jacksonville to a 74-64 victory over Virginia Tech.

With this win, Jacksonville, now holding a 3-2 record, marked its first triumph over a Power Four program since defeating Florida back in 2010.

The game saw intense moments, highlighted when Mylyjael Poteat tied the score at 44 with a layup. However, McCray quickly responded with a jump shot, then intercepted a pass, sprinting down the court for a fast-break dunk, propelling Jacksonville into the lead for good.

For Virginia Tech (3-2), Poteat led the charge with 15 points and eight rebounds, supported by Tobi Lawal with 14 points and Brandon Rechsteiner who added 11. The Hokies’ loss ended a three-game winning streak that had begun their season, following an earlier defeat to Penn State with an 86-64 score in the Hall of Fame Series – Baltimore last Friday.

The Dolphins set the stage for their success with a significant performance in the second half. Donovan Rivers made key plays, including a layup and a dunk, fueling a crucial 14-5 run that extended Jacksonville’s lead to 67-58 after Nwokeji sank a 3-pointer with 3:53 remaining. McCray then stretched the lead further by completing a three-point play just 38 seconds later, creating a comfortable 10-point cushion for Jacksonville.

The second half had an exciting start as Kendall Munson executed a three-point play, followed by Zach Bell draining a 3-pointer, and Munson adding a spinning layup to initiate an 8-0 run. This enabled the Hokies to gain a 42-37 lead early in the half. However, Nwokeji’s straight-away 3-pointer and another jumper flipped the momentum back to Jacksonville, giving them a lead at 44-42.

Though Poteat tied it again, the momentum had shifted, and McCray’s subsequent jump shot and fast-break dunk sealed the deal for Jacksonville, solidifying their impressive performance as they look to build on this victory.