January 8, 2003

Box Score

Villanova 92, VT 81, OT

 

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Virginia Tech lost to Villanova, 92-81, in overtime Wednesday night at the Pavilion in the BIG EAST Conference opener for both teams. Tech is now 6-7 overall and 0-1 in league action, while the Wildcats improve to 8-5 overall and 1-0 in BIG EAST play.

Villanova took a 48-38 lead into halftime, but the Hokies cut into the deficit and took the lead on a three-point field goal by freshman guard Shawn Harris with 10:08 remaining. The lead was exchanged over the last few minutes, before Nova took a 74-72 lead with 1:56 remaining. Senior center Terry Taylor made a lay-up with 1:06 remaining to tie the game at 74-74.

Neither team was able to score in the final minute of regulation. In the overtime period, Tech saw post players Taylor and sophomore forward Dimari Thompkins foul out in the first two minutes of the extra session and Villanova made 10 of 12 free throw attempts and won 92-81.

Junior guard Carlos Dixon led all scorers with a season-high 24 points. Senior guard Brian Chase added a season-high 15 points and junior foward Bryant Matthews and Taylor each scored 15 points in the loss. Freshman guard Randy Foye led the Wildcats with 21 points.

Tech outshot Villanova, 46.0%-40.5%, but was outrebounded 48-38. The Hokies hit eight of 17 from three-point territory for a season-high 57.7%, including Dixon and Chase combining for six of 13 from behind the arc.

Virginia Tech takes the weekend off before travelling to Hartford for a Tuesday night game with nationally-ranked Connecticut in the Hartford Civic Center.