February 9, 2006

Box Score

Virginia Tech 82, Clemson 70

 

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech women's basketball team used a 16-2 run early in the game and never looked back the rest of the way in defeating the Clemson Tigers 82-70 in front of 3,251 fans at Cassell Coliseum. The win was Tech's second in its past three games and bumped the team's record to 16-6 overall, 3-6 in the ACC. Clemson fell to 8-15 and 2-7 in league action.

The Hokies scored the first five points of the game and never trailed in this one. With the score 7-4, the Hokies distanced themselves with the 16-2 run that occupied 6:33 of the first half. Tech reserve Nare Diawara scored five points and pilfered two steals to spark the run that gave Tech a 23-6 lead.

Tech built the lead to as many as 18 points in the first, but Clemson ran off eight unanswered to cut the lead to 10 points. However, the Hokies managed to take a 37-24 lead into the locker room at intermission.

A 7-2 Hokie spurt to open the second half got Tech its 18-point lead back, and the Hokies eventually extended it to as many as 22 points. The Tigers got hot in the last couple of minutes, though, hitting their last four shots in the game, three of them 3-pointers, to make the final score respectable. The 12-point deficit at the end of regulation was the closest the Tigers came in the second half.

Defense was noticeably lacking from both sides in the second half. Clemson shot over 62 percent in the second half, but the Hokies kept pace by shooting over 57 percent. Clemson really warmed up from 3-point range after going 0-for-5 in the first half. The Tigers knocked down 8-of-9 treys in the second half.

"The first half was a lot better defensive effort," Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger said. "I thought we got a little sloppy in the second half. Sometimes that happens when you get a lead, but we've got to play a little more consistent defense for me to be happy."

Dawn Chriss led the Hokie attack with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Kerri Gardin, who resumed her starting role after not starting the past two games, recorded her 19^th career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Carrie Mason also hit double figures with 14 points. She was 2-of-4 from 3-point range, making her 21-of-34 from beyond the arc in Tech's past six games.

Clemson was paced by Maxienne White who scored 21 points. Amanda Frist and Tasha Taylor contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Hokies tied their team record for steals in an ACC game with 17, a record they initially set last season against UNC.

The two teams came into the game tied for 8^th place in the league with 2-6 conference marks. The Tech win leaves them in sole possession of that spot. N.C. State, the team in seventh place, defeated Wake Forest to remain a half game in front of the Hokies at 4-6.

The Hokies will take to the road for their next contest, travelling to Tallahassee, Fl., to take on the Florida State Seminoles. Last season, the two teams played twice, going to double-overtime in the game in Blacksburg and triple-overtime in the game at FSU. The Hokies came up short in both games.

"They (FSU) are playing great basketball right now," Dunkenberger said. "They keep it simple, they execute and they play good defense. We've got to be ready."

The game will be played on Monday, February 13 and will tip off at 7 p.m.