December 21, 2001

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The combination of a dominating defense and big first half run proved to be enough in Virgina Tech's 70-47 victory Friday night at the JMU Convocation Center. The victory was Tech's fourth straight as the Hokies ended the seven-game road swing, the longest in school history, with a 5-2 record. The victory also was the 99th for Tech head coach Bonnie Henrickson.

James Madison (6-3) jumped out to a 8-0 lead forcing the Hokies to call a time-out in the first three minutes of the contest. From that point on, it was all Tech as the Hokies quickly closed to within three at 20-17. A jumper by Erin Gibson (Fr., Galax, Va.) started Tech on a 15-0 run over the next six minutes and a 17-2 spurt over the final 7:39 of the half.

Tech (7-2) built the advantage to 20 points midway through the second half and coasted to the victory. Ieva Kublina (So.,, Riga, Lativa) continued her solid play with 18 points followed by Sarah Hicks (Sr., Roanoke, Va.) with 16 points, including four treys, and Nicole Jones (Sr., Vienna, Va.) with 10 points. Lisa Guarneri (Sr., Piscataway, N.J.) tied her career-high with eight points and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.

Virginia Tech held its third consecutive opponent and fourth of the season to under 50 points. The stingy defense also limited JMU to only 30.4 percent (14-46) from the field while the Hokies managed to shoot 47.3 percent (26-55) from the floor including a 5-for-9 effort from behind the arc.

The Hokies finally return to the friendly confines of Cassell Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 28 when they host the Lady Luck Classic against Gardner-Webb. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.