January 18, 2003

Virginia Tech's stunning 3-point barrage and ability to dominate on the boards enabled the Hokies to knock off the Providence Friars 92-79 on Saturday night in front of 4,613 fans at Cassell Coliseum in the BIG EAST home opener for Tech.

The win marked Tech's first BIG EAST victory of the season and snapped a three-game losing streak. The Hokies improved to 7-8 on the season, 1-2 in the league. Providence is now 9-6, 2-2 in the BIG EAST.

"We needed this one," said Tech center Terry Taylor, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 boards. "Once you get that first one, the rest is easier. We've got our confidence going now. We're looking for bigger and better things."

Tech knocked off the Friars by knocking down the 3-pointer. The Hokies hit 13 3-pointers - a single-game high for them this season and three short of the school record - including nine in the first half in a barrage that left Providence playing catch-up the entire game.

With the score 21-19 in favor of Tech, the Hokies closed the first half with a 26-12 run and took a 47-31 lead into the locker room. Six of Tech's nine first-half 3-pointers came in that run.

"I think it came with confidence," Tech head coach Ricky Stokes said. "As we continued to make them, we got more and more confident."

Tech led by as many as 24 in the second half, but Providence gradually pecked away and cut the lead to eight on a Ryan Gomes basket with 4:46 left in the game. Taylor, though, hit a short jumper and Brian Chase added two free throws to push the lead back to 12 and Tech never looked back.

Bryant Matthews paced five Tech players in double figures as the Hokies scored a season-high 92 points. Matthews tied his career high with 26 points, going 10-of-15 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. Dimari Thompkins added 15 points and a dozen rebounds - both career highs.

Tech shot 51.9 percent from the floor and 56.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. The Hokies also outrebounded Providence 41-28. Gomes led the Friars with 16 points.

Tech now steps out of conference for the second game in this four-game homestand. The Hokies take on in-state rival UVa next Tuesday night. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 and the game will be televised on ESPN2.