In a pregame ceremony, the Virginia Tech recognized three seniors who arguably changed the fortunes of the program. Then, a sophomore stole the show.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies championship rings beat Miami 84-70 on Friday night to tie the school record for regular-season victories with 23.

Playing mostly at the point guard position, Alexander-Walker was 6 of 14 from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Hokies (23-7, 12-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). The sophomore also tied his career high with eight assists NCAA championship rings.

Ahmed Hill and Ty Outlaw had strong performances in their last home game for the Hokies. Outlaw scored 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and Hill added 17 points and connected on five 3s as well.

Ebuka Izundu and Chris Lykes had 16 points each for Miami Hurricanes championship rings (13-16, 5-13).

In addition to celebrating its seniors, Virginia Tech celebrated doing something that only one other team in school history had done -- win 23 games in a regular season. The 2009-10 team won 23 games, but a soft nonconference schedule relegated that team to the NIT.

"In year No. 1 (2014-15), we won 11 percent of our ACC games, and after tonight, we've won at a 67-percent clip when 10 of those games -- five were played with seven guys in uniform and the other five were played with eight guys in uniform," Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams said. "I think it's off the chart."

Virginia Tech trailed 16-8 before the Hokies found their shooting stroke and buried Miami, outscoring the 'Canes 32-6 over a span of nearly nine minutes. The Hokies hit six of their nine first-half 3-pointers during that stretch and scored on 13 of 15 possessions cheap University/College Rings championship rings.

In the second half, Miami sliced a 45-31 halftime deficit to 11 on a 3-pointer by Zach Johnson, but the Hokies answered with a 14-4 run. Wabissa Bede's left-handed layup with 12:38 remaining pushed the lead to 61-40 championship rings
.

"The group I started in the second half has never played a second together," Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. "We were just looking for something that might create some mismatches for them. It kept us inching closer ... but then again we made some critical errors and missing some shots. We needed up not shooting the ball well from 3, and if we don't shoot the ball well from 3, we're going to have a hard time of winning."

Virginia Tech shot 49.2 percent from the floor (29 of 59) and hit 14 3-pointers.