January 7, 2003

Box score

Villanova 62, Virginia Tech 60

 

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- A second half scoring drought combined with Villanova's pressure free throw shooting in the final few minutes and turnovers proved to be too much for Virginia Tech women's basketball to overcome Tuesday night in a close 62-60 loss to the 22nd-ranked Wildcats at The Pavilion.

After the two teams had battled to a 25-25 halftime tie, Tech (10-3, 1-1) opened the second half with a 7-1 run to lead 32-26 with 18:30 remaining in the game. However, the Hokies' offense stalled and Villanova put together a 21-5 spurt over the next 9:32 to build its largest lead of the evening at 47-37. Tech made only one field goal and committed nine turnovers during the cold streak.

The Hokies bounced back with a quick 7-0 spurt to trail only 47-44 with 4:53 left in the game but Villanova connected on 13-of-18 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. In fact, the Wildcats scored 13 of their final 15 points at the charity stripe.

Tech was led by Erin Gibson (So., Galax, Va.) with 17 points followed by freshman Kerri Gardin (Morganton, N.C.) with career-highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The double-double was the first of Gardin's career. Ieva Kublina (Jr., Riga, Latvia) added nine points and 10 rebounds.

Villanova (11-1, 2-0) was led by Katie Davis with 26 points. Tech held preseason All-BIG EAST first team selection Trish Juline to nine points.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Hokies who travel to Storrs, Conn. for a 2 p.m. Sunday contest against defending national champion and second-ranked Connecticut.