Jan 30, 2002

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VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Gary Buchanan scored 20 points and Villanova continued its torrid 3-point shooting in a 84-77 win over Virginia Tech Wednesday that kept the Hokies winless in the Big East.

Buchanan connected on 6 of 9 from behind the arc against Virginia Tech.

Reggie Bryant, who was 4-for-4 on 3-pointers, led four other Wildcats in double figures with 15. Joe Hamilton led all scorers with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field for Virginia Tech, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

Villanova, which has never lost to Virginia Tech in six career meetings, improved to 12-6, 4-4 in the Big East. Virginia Tech fell to 6-14, 0-8. Since a 95-60 loss at Connecticut on January 10, the Hokies have lost five conference games by an average of 7 points.

Villanova led by as many as 19 points in the second half, and held an 81-64 advantage before Virginia Tech scored 10 consecutive points to cut the lead to 81-74 with 23.2 seconds remaining on a free throw by Bryant Matthews. Reggie Bryant then sank a free throw with 16 seconds left before Techs Joe Hamilton hit a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left to make the score 82-77. Chris Charles scored Villanova's final basket on a turnaround at the buzzer.

After Virginia Tech raced to a 17-9 lead to start the game, Buchanan hit consecutive 3-pointers during a 24-6 run that gave Villanova 33-23 advantage.