February 12, 2003

Box Score

Virginia Tech 78, Georgetown 46

 

The Virginia Tech women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead against the Georgetown Hoyas and never looked back in capturing an emphatic 78-46 BIG EAST win on Feb. 12 at Cassell Coliseum. An attendance of 2,110 watched the Hokies improve to 17-5 overall and 8-3 in the BIG EAST. Georgetown fell to 13-8 and 4-6 in the league.

The Hokies came out of the gates quickly, which has been a rarity for them this season, even at home. They pounced on the Hoyas early claiming a 13-3 lead, and maintained that lead for most of the first half, leading at halftime 28-16.

Georgetown shot the ball poorly from the field, connecting on just 4-of-27 attempts (14.8 percent) in the first period of play. The Hoyas were also hurt by foul trouble as star center Rebekkah Brunson picked up three fouls in the first half.

Tech extended its lead to 40-24 early in the second half, but the Hoyas responded with a 9-2 run to cut the lead to nine. It was as close as they would come. With a little over nine minutes remaining and Tech ahead 47-37, the Hokies went on a 29-9 run to close out the game.

Brunson, who picked up her fourth foul early in the second half, fouled out in the midst of the run at the 5:44 mark. She came in averaging 17.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, but managed just 13 points and four rebounds against Tech. Tech sophomore Erin Gibson (Galax, Va.)received much of the credit for that.

"She did a nice job," head coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "She tried to match (Brunson's) athleticism and long wingspan, and that's the first time Erin's played against her because Brunson was hurt last year.

"You can see Brunson on film, but until you play against her∑she's tremendously athletic."

Junior center Ieva Kublina (Riga, Latvia) led all players with 16 points and seven rebounds. Senior Chrystal Starling (Syracuse, NY) chipped in 13 points while Gibson added 11 points and six rebounds. Freshman Carrie Mason (Seneca, Pa.) contributed nine points and tied her career-high with six assists.

This game was billed by many as a battle of post players, but Georgetown didn't put up much of a fight as Tech outscored Georgetown 32-16 in the paint and outrebounded the Hoyas 37-30. Tech's reserves also won the battle of the benches, outscoring Georgetown's reserves 25-7. The Hokies also beat the Hoyas down the floor, scoring 12 fast break points to Georgetown's zero.

All of that added up to a dominating and lopsided victory for the Hokies.

Tech's next game will be on the road at Boston College on Sunday, February 16. The game will tip at noon.