BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Virginia Tech closed the game on a 19-9 run over the last 5:58 and held off upset-minded Campbell 71-60 Monday night in front of a greater-than-capacity crowd at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center/Gilbert Craig Gore Arena.

Clinging to a 52-51 lead with six minutes to go, Malcolm Delaney's three-pointer from the left wing bounced twice on the rim before falling in, while Campbell's William Kossangue was called for a loose ball foul at the same time underneath.

Terrell Bell made the two free throws that followed to continue a 15-5 burst that gave the Hokies (3-0) their largest lead (67-56) of the game.

In a contest where the lead changed hands 12 times and the score was tied on five occasions, the Camels (3-1) led by as many as five in the opening period, and held a 46-45 edge with 11:14 to go after Amir Celestin's drive, bringing the record crowd of 3205 (in a 3095-seat facility) to its feet.

After Jonathan Rodriguez' two free throws pulled the Camels within 52-51 with 6:51 remaining, Tech's decisive rally proved to be too much.

Rodriguez led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from the line, while grabbing six rebounds.  Junard Hartley added 10 on 5-of-7 from the field, plus six assists and three steals and Preston Dodson had seven rebounds for the Camels, who saw their three-game win streak come to an end.

J.T. Thompson led Virginia Tech with 17 points off the bench on 8-of-12 shooting.  Malcolm Delaney added 15, plus five assists, and became the 40th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points.  The junior guard now has 1004 points in 72 career games.  Dorenzo Hudson finished with 10 points, while Jeff Allen grabbed a game-high nine boards.

The contest was the first visit by an Atlantic Coast Conference varsity men's basketball team to Buies Creek and its two-year-old facility.

Campbell shot 55 percent in the opening half, but just 45.8 percent in the second and finished 22-44 from the floor (.500).  Virginia Tech connected on 44.4 percent of its field goals, but converted 15 Campbell turnovers into 20 points.  Tech finished with a 35-27 edge on the glass, and converted 15 offensive rebounds into 13 second-chance points.

"We missed a lot of opportunities to turn the game around in our favor," said Hartley, a junior point guard.  "Overall, we played as one unit.  We played together.  We didn't back down."

Campbell entered the game just 1-26 all-time against ACC members.  Since CU's lone victory - a 75-72 overtime decision at N.C. State on Dec. 3, 1994 - the Camels have now dropped their last 11 against ACC schools.

"That was a great atmosphere and a great place to play," said Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg.  "I'm just happy to get out of here with a win."

Campbell head coach Robbie Laing echoed Greenberg's sentiments about Monday's setting.

"The atmosphere was fantastic," said the seventh-year coach.  "Virginia Tech shook us early, but we regained our composure.  Physically, they just wore us down in the second half."

Campbell opens its Atlantic Sun Conference schedule Friday in a doubleheader at the Pope Center/Gore Arena against North Florida.  The Lady Camels tip-off at 4:00 p.m., while the men are scheduled to start at 6:15.

Fans who donate at least two canned or non-perishable food items at the door will be admitted free.  The Department of Athletics is partnering with Campbell's Presidential Scholars Club to help stock the Harnett County Food Bank during the holiday season.  Collection bins will be in place at each CU home game in November and December.

Virginia Tech continues a four-game road trip Friday against Temple in the Philly Hoop Group Classic.