BLACKSBURG, Va. – No. 15 Virginia Tech used a 19-3 run in the second half to pull away for good in a 87-59 win over Gardner-Webb Friday night.

Gardner-Webb (0-2) pulled within 47-43 on an Eric Jamison, Jr., layup with 16:05 left in the game, but the Runnin' Bulldogs did not score again for nearly three minutes as the Hokies (1-0) found their range and pulled away.

Gardner-Webb got a career-high 17 points from Nate Johnson and 12 points from David Efianayi, but were severely hampered by 29 turnovers – which Virginia Tech turned into 35 points. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 47.7 percent from the floor overall, but made just 6-of-20 from long distance (30.0 percent) and just 52.4 percent from the foul line (11-of-21) in a tough night against a nationally-ranked opponent.

Jose Perez added nine points and DJ Laster scored eight points for Gardner-Webb.

Virginia Tech shot a solid 50.8 percent from the floor and sizzled the nets from three-point land – knocking down 10-of-25 shots (40.0 percent). The Hokies were most opportunistic in turning Gardner-Webb's miscues into easy baskets, holding a plus-25 edge in points off of turnovers. The Hokies were credited with 16 steals and overcame 20 turnovers of their own by limiting fast break opportunities.

Isaiah Wilkins and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 21 points to lead the Hokies in their season opener. Ahmed Hill (11 points), Kerry Blackshear (14 points) and Justin Robinson (11 points) also hit double figures for Virginia Tech.

Johnson's offensive performance was encouraging for Gardner-Webb, as the redshirt sophomore from Miami, Fla., made 7-of-12 shots and a trio of three-pointers in 33 minutes. He added a pair of blocked shots on the defensive end.

Gardner-Webb will head back on the road next week, traveling to face SoCon contender Furman on Tuesday night in Greenville, S.C. (ESPN+).