December 29, 2001

Virginia Tech used a balanced scoring attack and tough defense en route to an 83-43 victory over Hampton in the finals of the Lady Luck Classic at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. on Saturday night.

The Hokies broke open the game with a 28-8 run over the final 10 minutes of play in the first half, taking a 44-20 lead into intermission. Tech increased the lead to as many as 45 points in the second half, before clearing the bench and cruising to the victory.

Tech controlled all aspects of the game and never trailed in the contest. The Hokies held Hampton to 23.2% from the field and outrebounded the Lady Pirates, 53-27. The Lady Pirates made only 13 field goals in the game and were credited with just four assists.

Senior forward Nicole Jones led the Hokies with 17 points, while freshman center Erin Gibson came off the bench with a career-high 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore center Ieva Kublina added 12 points and nine rebounds in the win. Lineni Noa led all scorers with 18 points and LaShondra Dixon added 11 points for the Lady Pirates.

Virginia Tech senior guard Sarah Hicks was named the tournament MVP. She had career-highs with seven assists in the first round and nine assists in the finals. She was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Jones and Kublina and Dixon and Noa of Hampton. Jones has now been named to the all-tournament team in each of the last three years.

Tech has now won four straight Lady Luck Classic finals and nine of the 12 tournaments hosted by the Hokies.

The Hokies are now 9-2 overall, while Hampton falls to 5-7. Tech returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 3, as they host Clemson at 7 p.m.