January 29, 2006

Box Score

Miami 77, Virginia Tech 62

 

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The 25^th-ranked Virginia Tech women's basketball team dropped its fourth straight game Sunday afternoon, falling to Atlantic Coast Conference rival Miami 77-62 at the Convocation Center.

With the loss, the Hokies fall to 14-5, 1-5 in the ACC, while the Hurricanes raise their record to 14-6, 4-3 in the ACC.

Led by 21 points from Renee Taylor, Miami shot 56-percent in the game, compared to 39-percent for Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes sunk eight baskets from three-point range.

Miami came out strong early in the first half, setting the tone for the game. The Hurricanes took a 20-4 lead through the first five minutes and never looked back, holding a 46-27 lead at halftime. Miami shot 64-percent in the first half alone.

"Miami knocked down the open shots today, and that was a problem," said Virginia Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger. "Our defense was horrendous, and they shot well."

Tech staged a comeback with eleven minutes remaining with an eight-minute 20-11 run, cutting the lead to 12 points, 72-60. Miami kept the ball out of Tech's hands in the final minutes to slow the Hokies momentum and hold on to the win. The Hokies outscored the Hurricanes 35-31 in the second half.

"It was too little too late, we had dug ourselves such a deep hole that we weren't able to climb out," said Dunkenberger.

Four players scored in double figures for Tech, including Carrie Mason, who tied her career-high with four three-point baskets. Mason, Kerri Gardin and Dawn Chriss each scored 14 points, while Kirby Copeland had 10. Gardin had a team-high five rebounds.

In addition to Taylor, Melissa Knight scored 15 for Miami. Tamara James had 14 points and nine rebounds. The Hurricanes had five players come off the bench to score 20 points.

Tech next faces in-state rival Virginia on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers defeated the Hokies 78-59 in their first meeting this season, the beginning of the current four-game slide.

"We've got our backs against the wall; this is not the way the seniors want to go out," said Dunkenberger. "They're going to have to bond together and get this done."