COL BKB: Virginia Tech 94, Morgan St. 62

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 19 (UPI) -- A.D. Vassallo made 11 of 14 shots from the field and scored 27 points Wednesday in carrying Virginia Tech to an easy 94-62 win over Morgan State in the NIT.

The outcome set up a second-round matchup between the Hokies and Alabama-Birmingham

Virginia Tech (20-13) also got 13 points from Delaney Malcolm and 11 from Deton Washington.

Morgan State, making its first post-season appearance of any kind, completed its season at 22-11. The Bears were led by Marquise Kately with 21.

Any team that wins a regular-season conference title but then loses in its league tournament and fails to grab an invitation to the NCAA tourney is given a spot in the NIT.

Morgan State won the MEAC regular-season crown, but lost in the finals of the conference tourney to Coppin State.

Virginia Tech built a 15-point halftime lead and then made 19 of 23 field goal attempts in the second period.