January 31, 2005

Box Score

Virginia Tech 74, Wake Forest 64

 

BLACKSBURG, Va. - A big second half run got the Virginia Tech women's basketball team back in the win column as the Hokies downed Wake Forest 74-64 in a critical ACC contest in front of 4,017 fans at Cassell Coliseum. With the win, the Hokies improved to 13-6 overall and 3-4 in the conference. The Demon Deacons dropped to 13-7 and 2-5 in the ACC.

The win was important for the Hokies who had dropped four of their past five games, including their previous two at Cassell Coliseum.

"I think this win was very important, confidence-wise and getting back on the winning track," Tech point guard Carrie Mason said. "We knew we needed to come back and win this game."

The Hokies led 35-34 at the half, but the game didn't stay close for long after the break. After the teams traded two baskets apiece, the Hokies exploded on a 17-0 run that covered almost six minutes. Junior Dawn Chriss and sophomore Britney Anderson combined for nine points in the run as the Hokies hit 6-of-9 shots during the spurt and 3-of-4 free throws.

Tech's defense also stepped up during that spell, forcing five Wake Forest turnovers and holding the Demon Deacons to just five shots.

That run gave the Hokies a 54-38 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Despite all the time left in the game, though, Wake Forest was never able to get closer than eight points the rest of the way and the Hokies cruised to the victory.

It was a balanced scoring effort for the Hokies as five players reached double figures, led by Mason's 13 points. Chriss and Megan Finnerty chipped in 12 points apiece while Erin Gibson scored 11 and Anderson contributed 10. Finnerty's 12 points represented a career-high, as do the five assists that she handed out to her teammates. Chriss had a career- and team-high eight assists, as well as six rebounds.

Tech's perimeter defense was lacking early in the first half against the Deacons, who lead the nation in 3-pointers attempted, 3-pointers made, and average number of treys per game (9.2). The Deacons made the Hokies pay by drilling their first three attempts from deep and taking a 9-4 lead. Tech coach Beth Dunkenberger immediately called a timeout after the third make and rallied her troops.

The Hokies went on an 8-0 run coming out of the timeout to take a 12-9 lead, but then hit a dry spell that lasted 6:42. However, Wake Forest could only take a 16-12 lead. The Deacons eventually pushed the lead to 27-20 when Porsche Jones hit a 3-pointer at the 5:50 mark. From there, the Hokies embarked on a 15-5 run over the next 5:28. Jones scored a driving layup with three seconds left to cut Tech's halftime lead to 35-34.

Wake Forest was led by Jones and Cotelia Bond-Young, each of whom scored 21 points.

Tech has a quick turnaround before stepping back out of conference on Wednesday, Feb. 2 when the University of Richmond comes to Cassell Coliseum. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.