February 9, 2003

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Carrie Mason (Fr., Seneca, Pa.) converted a three-point play with 0:13 remaining to give the Virginia Tech women's basketball team a 53-50 victory over Notre Dame Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum. The win moves the Hokies to 16-5 overall and 7-3 in the BIG EAST, while the Fighting Irish fall to 13-8, 5-5 in conference play.

The contest was a game of spurts, with both teams going on short runs. Neither team was able to build more than a four-point advantage, as there were 14 ties and 12 lead changes. Notre Dame was able to dominate on the inside, taking a 24-4 advantage in points in the paint, but Tech was able to get it done on the foul line, hitting 22-of-24 free-throw attempts. The Hokies' 91.7 free-throw percentage marks a new team best in BIG EAST play.

Tech, which shot only 28.6 percent from the field, limited the Irish to 38.6 percent shooting. The Hokies are now 45-3 over the last three years (13-0 this season) when holding their opponents under 60 percent.

Ieva Kublina (Jr., Riga, Latvia) led the Hokies with 21 points and was a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe, tying a school record for free-throw percentage in a game. She also had seven of Tech's eight blocks, tying her career-high. Kublina has now blocked three or more shots in 28 games as a Hokie.

Also in double figures for Tech were Chrystal Starling (Sr., Syracuse, N.Y.) with 16 points and nine boards and Mason with 11 points.

Jacqueline Batteast led the way for the Irish with 13 points, five blocks and four steals, while Katy Flecky added 11 points.

The Hokies will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 12 as they host Georgetown in a BIG EAST contest. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m., in Cassell Coliseum.