February 5, 2003

Box Score

Virginia Tech 55, Seton Hall 46

 

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Junior forward Ieva Kublina scored 24 points, including a career-high four three-point field goals, to lead Virginia Tech to a key 55-46 win over Seton Hall Tuesday night in Walsh Gym. The Hokies improved to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in the BIG EAST Conference while Seton Hall fell to 11-8 overall and 5-4 in league play.

Tech used a combination of Kublina's offense and a suffocating defense to defeat the Pirates. Seton Hall jumped out to an early 13-6 lead in the first five minutes of the game only to see the Hokies put together a 12-0 run over the next 8:38 to take an 18-13 advantage. Kublina had eight points during the run, including two treys.

The Pirates finally made a basket to draw within three at 18-15 but could get no closer for the remainder of the game. Tech led 26-21 at halftime with Kublina scoring 18 of the 26 points.

The Tech defense, which limited Seton Hall to only 33.3 percent from the field in the first half, tightened its grip and held the Pirates to 25.0 percent in the second half. Tech extended the lead to 13 points at 42-29 with 9:29 remaining in the game and the Pirates could get no closer than six points the rest of the way.

Kublina, who became the 15th member of the Tech 1,000-point club against Providence, ended with a game-high 24 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks. She was 9-of-14 from the field, 4-of-4 from behind the arc and 2-of-3 at the free throw line. The game marked the 24th time Kublina has had three or more blocks in a game during her career. The contest also was the 52nd time she has scored in double figures and the 12th game with 20 or more points.

Freshman Carrie Mason (Seneca, Pa.) added 11 points and career-high tying six assists for Tech. Seton Hall, which shot only 28.8 percent for the game, was led by Melissa Langelier with 11 points.

The Hokies will host Notre Dame this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum where Tech is 10-0 this season. The game is part of the BIG EAST television package and can be seen locally on WBVA/WB5 (Roanoke) and WYB.WB in the Bristol, Va. area. The contest will also be carried on the Madison Square Garden Network, Fox Sports Net New England, Fox Sports Net Florida and WHME in South Bend, Ind.