Virginia Tech hosts No. 17/17 Miami on Senior Day

Hokies to recognize seniors Cook, Hill, Nahodil and Panousis

February 22, 2017

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women's basketball team will wrap up the home slate on Thursday, Feb. 23 when the Hokies host No. 17/17 Miami at 7 p.m. Tech will honor seniors Sidney Cook, Samantha Hill, Tara Nahodil and Vanessa Panousis prior to tipoff.

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: February 23, 2017 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: #17/17 Miami
Site: Blacksburg, Va. (Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: 100.7 FM WNMX / HokiesXtra
Talent: Andrew Allegretta, play-by-play
TV: n/a
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Live Video: ACCNetworkExtra
Game Notes: Virginia Tech | Miami

THE HOKIES (16-11, 3-11 ACC)
Virginia Tech fell to Virginia 63-55 the last time out. Sidney Cook led the Hokies with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Chanette Hicks added 12 points and handed out six assists. Regan Magarity and Vanessa Panousis each tallied eight points.

The Cavaliers jumped out to the early lead in the game, but the Hokies kept it close trailing 9-7 with four minutes to go. UVA closed out the first with a 10-1 run to extend the lead to 19-8 at the quarter break. Virginia pushed its lead to 13 in the second quarter and led 25-13 before Tech went on a 7-0 run, cutting it to a 6-point game. The Cavaliers held on to the advantage and took a 37-27 lead into the break. Both teams were sluggish on the offensive side in the third, as the Hokies closed within six before UVA again pushed it back to 10 and were on top 45-37 heading into the final 10 minutes. The Cavaliers were on top 52-42 early in the fourth, but the Hokies answered with a 9-0 run to cut it to a 1-point game. The Hokies still trailed by one with 90 seconds remaining, but UVA outscored Tech 9-2, including 7-of-7 from the line, to secure the win.

Hicks leads the Hokies, averaging 15.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 steals per game. Cook is posting 13.9 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Magarity is averaging 13.0 ppg and 9.4 rebounds per game while Samantha Hill is adding 9.8 ppg.

THE HURRICANES (19-7, 8-6 ACC)
Miami fell on the road to Duke 83-70 on Sunday. Adrienne Motley dropped in 23 points to lead the Hurricanes. Laura Cornelius added 10 points and handed out five assists.

Duke held a four-point lead after the first quarter before the Hurricanes answered in the second, cutting it to a one-point, 32-31 game at the break. The Blue Devils came out firing after the break, outscoring the Canes 25-17. Miami cut it to a seven-point game in the fourth, but got no closer as Duke held a 26-22 advantage in the final 10 minutes.

Jessica Thomas leads the Hurricanes on the season, averaging 13.6 points per game while handing out 4.0 apg. Motley is adding 13.3 ppg while Cornelius is tallying 8.8 ppg. Keyona Hayes leads on the boards with 6.0 rpg.

THE SERIES
This is the 24th meeting between the two teams. Miami won the contest earlier this season, outlasting the Hokies 82-75 in Coral Gables in a back-and-forth game that saw eight ties and 13 lead changes. Miami held a 36-35 lead at the break as the game continued to be a battle in the third when Tech took a lead just past the midway point. The Hokies were on top 58-57 heading into the fourth. Miami went on a 13-4 run to open the fourth, but Tech cut it to five several times in the final quarter. The Hokies could get no closer as Miami answered each run to hold on for the win.

Hill led Tech with a career-high 23 points. Hicks added 19 points while Magarity tallied 18 points and 14 rebounds. Motley led the Hurricanes with 18 points while Thomas added 17. Emese Hof and Cornelius tallied 14 and 13, respectively.

Up Next: Virginia Tech wraps up the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 26 in a 2 p.m. game at Boston College.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WBBall