Amber Aniston • December 16, 2024

Virginia Tech Holds Off Navy for an 80-72 Victory

The Virginia Tech Hokies secured an 80-72 non-conference victory over the Navy Midshipmen on Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum. Powered by a strong bench performance that contributed 46 points, the Hokies improved to 5-6 on the season while earning their second straight win after a six-game losing streak. Navy, now 3-8, displayed resilience but ultimately fell short in a competitive matchup. 




A Back-and-Forth First Half 

Navy came out firing in the first half, capitalizing on Virginia Tech’s early defensive lapses to take a commanding 27-15 lead midway through the period. The Midshipmen shot an impressive 72% from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including five three-pointers. Virginia Tech, however, found their rhythm behind Ben Burnham and freshman guard Ben Hammond. A 12-0 run by the Hokies tied the game at 27-27, and they eventually took a 46-41 lead into halftime, capped by Burnham’s buzzer-beating three-pointer. 


 

Hokies Rely on Bench Depth 

Virginia Tech’s bench played a pivotal role in the win, with three players scoring in double figures. Burnham led the team with a season-high 17 points, including five critical points in the final four minutes. Hammond recorded 11 points, marking his second consecutive double-digit performance, while Rodney Brown Jr. added 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in just his second extended outing of the season. 


Sophomore guard Jaden Schutt also contributed significantly, hitting two timely three-pointers during a crucial second-half stretch to keep the Hokies ahead. 



Navy’s Resilience 

Despite their struggles in the second half, Navy remained competitive throughout the contest. Lysander Rehnstrom led the Midshipmen with 14 points, hitting four three-pointers to keep his team within striking distance. Jordan Pennick and Austin Benigni added 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Jinwoo Kim chipped in with 12. 


Navy’s rebounding dominance, particularly on the offensive glass, gave them extra scoring opportunities. They out-rebounded Virginia Tech 30-20, including a 15-8 advantage on offensive boards, but their inability to convert these chances into points hindered their comeback effort. 


Virginia Tech Pulls Away Late 

The second half saw Navy cool off significantly, shooting just 33.3% from the field compared to their hot start. Virginia Tech took advantage, using their defensive intensity to create turnovers and convert them into points. The Hokies’ ability to hit key shots down the stretch sealed the victory, with Burnham delivering a critical three-pointer and a baseline jumper in the final minutes to extend the lead. 


Although Navy cut the deficit to four points late in the game, Virginia Tech’s composure and execution in the closing moments ensured the win. The Hokies shot 52.9% from the field overall, including an impressive 55.6% from beyond the arc, their best performance from long range this season. 


Statistical Highlights 

Virginia Tech’s shooting efficiency and bench production were key factors in the victory. The Hokies made 10 three-pointers on 18 attempts and converted 16-of-18 free throws. Navy’s 16 turnovers proved costly, leading to 19 points for Virginia Tech. In contrast, the Hokies committed just 10 turnovers, limiting Navy’s opportunities to capitalize. 



Looking Ahead

Virginia Tech will close out their non-conference schedule on Saturday against Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia as part of the Holiday Hoopfest. The Hokies then have a 10-day break before traveling to face No. 5 Duke in Durham on New Year’s Eve, a game that will test their progress against one of the nation’s top teams. 


Navy will look to end their four-game losing streak on Saturday when they face Coppin State. Despite the loss, the Midshipmen’s effort against Virginia Tech highlighted areas for improvement as they prepare for conference play. 


 

A Resilient Win for Virginia Tech 

Virginia Tech’s 80-72 victory over Navy underscored their potential when firing on all cylinders. With contributions from veterans and young players alike, the Hokies demonstrated the depth and balance needed to compete at a higher level. As they continue to build momentum heading into ACC play, their ability to execute in high-pressure situations will be critical to their success. 

By Angelie Te July 31, 2026
Why Sports Video Production Matters in the World of 2026 Sports video production in 2026 covers far more than pressing record and capturing the final score. It spans live game broadcasts, tournament streaming, vertical social clips, recruiting reels, and sponsor activation content for schools, teams, leagues, and athletics organizations at every level. The job of a modern sports producer is to build year-round storylines, ensure sponsor visibility across every screen, and produce scout-ready assets that athletes and families can use for years. Consider the scale: global sports rights spending exceeded $67 billion in 2026 , and LiveU deployed 1,700 units for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to connect venues across North America. This industry momentum reaches every stage of competition, from youth travel tournaments to college showcases. Sports video production is considered challenging due to unpredictable action and lack of second takes-which is exactly why professional planning matters. The real goal of sports video production isn't just documenting what happened. It's creating content that works long after the final whistle.  East Coast Sports Live helps programs of all sizes compete with pro-level production quality without needing an in-house broadcast team. This article walks you through planning, filming, packaging, and distributing sports content designed to satisfy athletes, fans, and sponsors.
Tony Romo wearing a broadcast headset during a CBS Sports football game broadcast.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
CBS placed Tony Romo on leave following his Wisconsin arrest, elevating J.J. Watt to its lead NFL broadcast team as the season approaches.
Harrison Bader in Yankees uniform during a game with a focused expression in a stadium.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Harrison Bader's season-ending scooter crash has raised questions about MLB contract rules, high-risk activities, and what comes next for the Giants outfielder.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Todd Bowles is keeping the Buccaneers focused on football despite Baker Mayfield's contract dispute and Vita Vea's trade request entering training camp.
FOOTBALL
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
FIFA's World Cup investment proposal has sparked opposition from major football confederations, with governance and transparency emerging as the central issues.
football player
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
Build a stronger 2026 fantasy football roster by understanding why drafting running backs early can create flexibility and long-term value in half-PPR leagues.
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
One of the most significant pieces of legislation in the history of college athletics is facing an uncertain future. The proposed Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) was designed to create a nationwide framework for regulating name, image and likeness (NIL), transfer rules, revenue sharing, and athlete eligibility. However, with the Big Ten and SEC withholding their formal support, lawmakers are running out of time to move the bipartisan bill through Congress before the Senate's August recess. The legislation has been viewed by many athletic directors and conference commissioners as the best opportunity to restore stability to an increasingly fragmented college sports landscape. But ongoing disagreements over several key provisions have placed its future in jeopardy. Why the Protect College Sports Act Matters College athletics has undergone dramatic changes over the past several years. NIL compensation, the transfer portal, athlete revenue sharing, and repeated court rulings have fundamentally altered how schools recruit, retain, and compensate student-athletes. The Protect College Sports Act was introduced to establish consistent national standards rather than leaving schools to navigate a patchwork of state laws and ongoing legal challenges. Among its major goals are: Creating uniform NIL regulations nationwide Standardizing transfer portal rules Establishing revenue-sharing guidelines Providing five years of athlete eligibility Giving conferences greater authority to enforce regulations Offering additional legal protections related to antitrust challenges Supporters believe the legislation could bring much-needed structure to college athletics after years of uncertainty. Why the Big Ten and SEC Have Not Signed Off Despite generally supporting federal legislation, the two most powerful conferences remain unwilling to endorse the current version of the bill. Conference leaders say several important issues remain unresolved, particularly language involving so-called "associated entities." These include corporate sponsors, multimedia rights partners, and outside organizations that could potentially direct additional compensation to athletes outside the proposed revenue-sharing cap. Big Ten and SEC officials argue that unless those loopholes are addressed, schools could effectively bypass spending limits, undermining the legislation's purpose.  Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork summarized the conferences' position simply: "We need a ceiling." Revenue-Sharing Cap Remains the Biggest Obstacle Much of the debate centers on how athlete compensation would be limited. Current negotiations include a structure featuring: $21.3 million base revenue-sharing cap Approximately $20–22.5 million additional retention pool Up to $5 million designated for women's athletics Conference leaders support increasing athlete compensation but insist those figures must be paired with a truly enforceable hard cap. Without stronger safeguards, administrators worry schools could continue funneling money through outside partnerships while technically remaining under the cap. Time Is Becoming the Biggest Challenge Even if negotiators reach an agreement, Congress faces a rapidly approaching deadline. The Senate is scheduled to begin its month-long recess on August 7 , leaving only a narrow window for lawmakers to advance the legislation. Senate staff members have publicly acknowledged that every passing day reduces the likelihood of securing a floor vote before lawmakers leave Washington. Conference representatives and congressional staff have continued negotiating revised language, but formal approval from the Big Ten and SEC has yet to arrive. Lawmakers Say Major Concessions Have Already Been Made Congressional leaders argue they have significantly revised the proposal in response to conference concerns. According to reports included in the source material, lawmakers agreed to numerous requested changes, including: Stronger recruiting and tampering provisions Modified revenue-sharing language Changes involving conference governance Adjustments affecting NIL oversight Additional flexibility regarding institutional NIL agreements Despite those revisions, conference officials maintain they still need to review final legal language before committing their support. Conference Leaders Say They Need More Certainty Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti has repeatedly emphasized that conference officials cannot endorse language they have not fully reviewed. Rather than rejecting the legislation outright, Petitti has described the negotiations as an effort to ensure the final bill accomplishes its intended purpose. Conference officials also continue seeking broader antitrust protections and greater certainty regarding how future enforcement would work under the proposed law. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has similarly stated in recent weeks that congressional legislation remains the preferred outcome but acknowledged the conference has discussed alternative governance models if federal action ultimately fails. Alternative Plans Already Being Discussed If Congress cannot pass the Protect College Sports Act, college athletics may move toward alternative solutions. Among the possibilities currently under discussion are: Plan B Revising the current College Sports Commission structure Negotiating updated revenue-sharing rules among the Power Four conferences Creating stronger conference-led enforcement mechanisms Plan C A self-governance model led by the major conferences Independent enforcement of recruiting, NIL, and compensation rules Greater conference autonomy outside the existing NCAA structure Neither option is considered ideal by conference leaders, who continue describing federal legislation as the preferred long-term solution. Industry Remains Divided Not every stakeholder agrees with the conferences' position. Executives representing multimedia rights companies argue that legitimate endorsement agreements should not automatically count against athlete compensation limits. Others believe an overly restrictive cap could unintentionally reduce genuine commercial opportunities for student-athletes who have built valuable personal brands. That disagreement highlights the broader challenge facing lawmakers: balancing competitive fairness with athletes' growing opportunities to profit from their name, image, and likeness. What's Next? Negotiations between congressional leaders, the White House, and conference representatives remain ongoing. According to the latest reports, lawmakers submitted what has been described as a "best and final" revised version of the legislation to the Big Ten and SEC while asking both conferences to make their decision quickly. Whether that will be enough to secure their support remains unclear. For now, the Protect College Sports Act remains alive—but time is quickly becoming its biggest opponent. If an agreement cannot be reached before Congress begins its August recess, the effort to establish national standards for college athletics could be delayed for months, leaving schools, athletes, conferences, and fans to continue navigating one of the most uncertain periods in the history of collegiate sports.
By Angelie Te July 30, 2026
This article is a practical guide to sports sponsorship activation for brands, schools, athletic programs, and event organizers working around live sports coverage. Whether you run a booster club, manage athletic marketing for a district, or represent a company looking at sponsorship opportunities, the strategies here focus on live and streamed sports events rather than generic sponsorship theory. Target readers: brand marketers, athletic directors, booster clubs, school communications teams, and event organizers planning sponsor integration around streamed or televised games.
More Posts