BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 24 points, Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 23 and Virginia Tech beat Detroit Mercy 111-79 on Friday night in a season opener.
Alexander-Walker, a six-foot-five freshman guard, was 9-of-14 shooting with four 3-pointers. Blackshear was 7 of 10 from the field and made 8 of 10 free throws. Ahmed Hill added 19 points, and Devin Wilson and P.J. Horne chipped in 10 points apiece.
Kameron Chatman scored 23 points to lead Detroit Mercy.
Chatman made a 3-pointer to pull the Titans to 31-29 with 7:19 to play in the first half.