December 7, 2003

Boxscore

#23 Virginia Tech 68, Alabama 51

 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Defense proved to be the difference Sunday afternoon in Virginia Tech's 68-51 victory over Alabama in Coleman Coliseum. The Tech win snapped the Crimson Tide's 53-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents and continued the Hokies' second-best start in school history.

Virginia Tech (6-0), ranked No. 19 in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll and No. 23 in the Associated Press, limited Alabama to only 19 second half points to win the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tech held the Tide to only 26.3 percent (5-19) in the second half and 30.8 percent for the game.

Erin Gibson (Jr., Galax, Va.) led Tech with 13 points and 12 rebounds followed by Ieva Kublina (Sr., Riga, Lativa) and Dawn Chriss (So., Hillcrest Heights, Md.) also with 13 points. The double-double was Gibson's second of the season and eighth of her career. Carrie Mason (So., Seneca, Pa.) added nine points and five steals.

After trailing 32-29 at the half, Tech battled the Tide to a 36-36 tie with just over 16 minutes remaining in the ccontest. The Hokies outscored Alabama 32-15 the rest of way to secure the victory. Alabama dominated the boards in the opening half, 27-19, but Tech responded in the second half with a 19-11 advantage. Free throws again proved to be a key factor in a Hokie victory as Tech connected on 79.3 percent (23-29) of its' charity tosses while the Tide made only 53.1 percent (17-32).

The 6-0 start is the second longest inthe program's history with the 1998-99 squad opening the year 18-0.

Alabama (4-2) was led by Monique Bivins and Navonda Moore with 12 points each followed by Lauren Hill with10 points.

The Hokies return to action on Sat., Dec. 13 hosting Maryland in a 2 p.m. contest.