January 12, 2003

Box Score

No. 2 Connecticut 69, Virginia Tech 57

 

STORRS, Conn. -- Virginia Tech saw a valiant effort come up short Sunday afternoon in a 69-57 loss at second-ranked and defending national champion Connecticut in front of 10,167 at Gampel Pavilion. The win was the 53rd straight for the Huskies, just one shy of the record held by Louisiana Tech.

Tech (10-4, 1-2) lost its second straight game to a nationally-ranked opponent after dropping a 62-60 contest Tuesday at No. 22 Villanova. The Hokies, who never led in the game, trailed 35-25 at halftime and fell behind 48-33 with 14:55 remaining in the game. Tech answered the Huskies with a 14-5 run to close to within 53-47 with just over nine minutes left in the game.

UConn (14-0, 2-0) took advantage of five Hokie turnovers to put the game away with a 12-1 run and build its largest lead at 65-48 at the four minute mark. Tech saw both Ieva Kublina and Erin Gibson foul out during the Huskie streak.

Tech was led by Kublina with 16 points followed by Carrie Mason and Chrystal Starling with 10 points each. Erin Gibson contributed six points, seven rebounds and one block in the loss.

All-American Diana Taurasi led four Huskies in double figures with 18 points followed by Barbara Turner's 16 points along with Jessica Moore and Ann Strother with 13 and 11 points respectively.

The Hokies will look to get back on the winning track next Wednesday, Jan. 15 when Tech host Pittsburgh at 7 p.m.