Dorenzo Hudson’s cell phone rang constantly on Sunday while he returned from Cancun, Mexico, with his Virginia Tech basketball team.

It’s a small price to pay for what has to feel like a weight off his shoulders. Hudson is an emerging college basketball star, after roughly two years of frustration, and his support group is eager to talk about it.

A powerful 6-foot-5, 208-pound shooting guard, Hudson was spectacular on Saturday night, when he scored 41 points to lead the Hokies to a 103-94 overtime win over

Seton Hall.

The Forest Hills High product put up the second-most points ever by a Virginia Tech player, and the most since 1990, when Bimbo Coles had 42.

“I felt good out there,” Hudson said Sunday after his flight landed in Charlotte. “It was nice to get it going like that.”

Hudson has never been one to brag on his accomplishments. He expects to do well, and has bided his time as a role player until his opportunity arose.

With ACC leading scorer Malcolm Delaney (19.8 ppg) out with an ankle injury, Hudson became the focal point of the offense for the first time.

Hudson never actually caught fire from the perimeter, but was virtually unstoppable going to the basket. He went 9-of-22 from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range.

Hudson made his first 12 free throws and finished 20-of-21 at the foul line. His 20 made free throws is a school record.

Hudson also had five assists, three rebounds and a steal. He played 44 of the possible 45 minutes, including 13 minutes at point guard with freshman Erick Green in foul trouble.

“I got pretty tired out there one time when they were pressing late in the game,” Hudson said. “But I had to suck it up.”

The Hokies have now won nine straight games to improve to 12-1 on the season, and Hudson is a big reason why. Over the last six games, he’s averaging 18.5 points per game.

Hudson’s confidence is now running high, and he’s starting to show the flashes of his potential.

Rated among the top 50 players in the nation the summer before his senior year in high school, Hudson was the only Nike camp selection from the state of North Carolina that year (2005).

Much was expected when he arrived on campus at Virginia Tech.

Hudson wasn’t accepted at Virginia Tech until the second semester of his freshman year because of an NCAA Clearinghouse issue. When he joined the team that December, having missed preseason camp, he was more than 20 pounds over his playing weight.

He struggled to score as a freshman, averaging just 3.5 points and 12.3 minutes per game, but did establish himself as the team’s top perimeter defender.

Hudson’s struggle to find his rhythm on the offensive end carried over to his sophomore year. He started, and became one of the best defensive guards in the ACC, but played just half the game (average of 20.6 minutes) and scored 4.6 ppg.

Hudson’s breakout game was Dec. 9 against VMI, when he scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Hudson has pulled his season scoring average up to 12.2 ppg, and his 32.9 minutes per game leads the team.

He’s also earned the trust of his teammates that he’s a scorer who can get to the foul line.

During his six-game tear, Hudson is 40-of-43 on free throw attempts (93 percent).

Virginia Tech is having a great year thus far. Seton Hall was coming off close losses to No. 5 Syracuse (80-73) and No. 6 West Virginia (90-84 in OT). The Pirates were 9-1 before those games.

Up next for the Hokies is Sunday’s game at defending national champion North Carolina.

After his 41-point outburst, Hudson will go in as a marked man.

Delaney’s ankle sprain was severe, and his status for Sunday’s game at UNC remains in question.

“We don’t know yet if Malcolm can go,” Hudson said, “but he’s gonna try.”