Toibu Lawal totaled a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds as Virginia Tech held on for an 83-60 victory over Delaware State in a regular-season opener for both teams Monday night in Blacksburg, Va.

Lawal, a transfer from VCU who was making his Virginia Tech debut, showed his versatility at both ends of the floor while helping Virginia Tech (1-0) hold off the resilient Hornets (0-1).

Lawal showed the athleticism he can bring to a Hokies’ lineup which was decimated by transfers in the offseason. He went 8 for 10 from the free throw line, hit a pair of 3-pointers and shot 6 of 9 from the field.

Delaware State trailed the entire game, but managed to cut its 13-point second-half deficit to 49-43 with 13:51 remaining.

Martaz Robinson finished with a game-high 30 points and six rebounds for the Hornets while shooting 6 for 10 from the field. He went 16 of 17 from the foul line as he consistently attacked the rim.

Delaware State trailed 29-11 with 7:38 remaining in the first half and the game appeared headed for a rout before the Hornets a 12-1 run that helped them pull within 40-32 at halftime.

After Delaware State used a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 49-43, the Hokies answered with a 12-2 surge over the next four minutes to extend their lead back to double digits and put the game out of reach.

Virginia Tech jumped out to a 16-point lead over the first eight minutes of the game and imposed its will inside to finish the game with a 41-29 rebounding edge. Delaware State also struggled to find a second offensive option to complement Robinson.

Virginia Tech’s Mylyjeal Poteat helped establish that dominance, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Jaydon Young helped balance the scoresheet for the Hokies with 13 points and four assists.

Aside from Robinson, the rest of the Hornets shot just 11 of 39 from the field. Kaseem Watson added nine points and Corey Perkins finished with eight for the Hornets.