COL BKB: Virginia Tech 78, Wake Forest 71

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Malcolm Delaney scored 21 points Wednesday and Virginia Tech held off No. 1 Wake Forest to shock the Demon Deacons 78-71.

Wake Forest lost for the first time this season, leaving no unbeaten teams in major college basketball.

With the Deacons having fallen, the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils moved into position to become the fourth No. 1-ranked team in the country this year. North Carolina started the season on top and was followed in that position by Pittsburgh and Wake Forest.

The Hokies went on a 14-6 run late in the first half and took a 34-24 halftime lead.

Wake Forest rallied to within 71-69 on Jeff Teague's three-pointer with 1:54 to play, but the Demon Deacons were never able to regain the lead. Two free throws by Delaney and one each from Jeff Allen and A.D. Vassallo restored a six-point cushion and Virginia Tech held on from there.

Virginia Tech (13-5, 3-1 ACC) won its fourth straight and for the eighth time in nine games. Both Allen and Vassallo had 16 points.

Wake Forest (16-1, 3-1) was led by Teague with 23 points.