January 31, 2002

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova held off a late comeback attempt by Virginia Tech and defeated the Hokies, 84-77, in men's BIG EAST basketball action Wednesday night at the Pavilion. Tech falls to 6-14 overall and 0-8 in league play, while the Wildcats improve to 12-6 overall and 4-4 in BIG EAST action.

Villanova took a 46-32 lead into intermission and extended the lead to 72-53 on a basket by Brooks Sales with 8:01 remaining. VU led by 17 points, 81-64, with 2:33 remaining, before the Hokies went on a 13-1 run to cut the lead to 82-77 on a three-point field goal by Joe Hamilton with :06 remaining. The Wildcats scored the final bucket just before the buzzer for the 84-77 final.

Hamilton, getting the starting nod for the Hokies on Wednesday, tallied a career-high 21 points to lead all scorers. Brian Chase, Bryant Matthews and Terry Taylor all scored 12 points for Tech and Carlos Dixon added 10 points off the bench for the Hokies. Gary Buchanan led the Wildcats with 20 points and Ricky Wright added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Tech once again won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Villanova, 41-35. The Wildcats outshot Tech, 54.4%-43.5% from the field and Villanova hit 10 of 14 three-point field goal attempts.

The Hokies return to Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 3, as they host the Red Storm of St. John's at 2 p.m.