Final Stats | USATSI Gallery

BLACKSBURG, Virginia -

The first half of Wednesday night's game at Virginia Tech couldn't have gone much worse for University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Trailing 38-16 at the break and shooting 29 percent from the field, something clearly needed to change in the second half.

But a second-half surge - including 17 second-half points from junior Ryan Andino (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - turned things arounf for the Hawks and they outscored the Hokies in the second half 43-37 on the way to a 75-59 loss.

"I think we just did a good job of listening to coach and executing what he wanted," Andino said. "He wanted to slow the game down and I feel like we executed what he wanted to do and it worked out. It's a game of runs. We went on our run. They went on their run, but I'm definitely proud of the way we played."

The veteran shooting guard finished with 23 points and has led the team in scoring in each of the last three games. His seven 3-pointers tied the record for shots made from behind the arc in Cassell Coliseum by an opponent.

"Honestly my shot has just been feeling good lately," Andino said. "I can't explain it. I guess I'm just building it up each game and taking that confidence into the next one."

Andino's performance also gave him the team lead in scoring with a 14.6 points per game average. He leads the team with 38 made 3-pointers and is shooting 48 percent from behind the arc.

"When my shots start falling, the rim gets bigger," Andino said. "My teammates do a great job of finding me when I'm hot so definitely, when I see the first one go in that's all I need for my confidence."

The Hawks (1-8) did not reach the free throw line until a pair of makes by Bakari Copeland with 3:44 left in the game. The team was 3-of-5 from the line in the game. They were also outrebounded (34-25) for the eighth time in nine games.

Logan McIntosh (Atlanta, Georgia) led the Hawks with six assists, while Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Georgia) was second with nine points.

Virginia Tech (7-1) got double figures in scoring from four different players including 23 from junior Zach LeDay.

The Shore next travels to Central Florida to take on the Knights (6-1) and 7-foot-6, 290-pound sophomore center Tacko Fall (13.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks per game).

Games can be heard locally on Fox Sports Radio 960 AM WTGM or on www.EasternShoreHawks.com. Will DeBoer will have the call from Orlando Saturday at 5 p.m. on The Shore Sports Network.

Season tickets for the 2016-2017 season are on sale now starting at just $125, for all men's and women's home games. Did you know that a purchasing a season ticket helps all sports at Maryland Eastern Shore, not just basketball? To purchase season tickets, click here. For more information about the 1ticKet Drive, log on to the web at easternshorehawks.com or call 410-651-6499. It's time to show your #HawkPride!