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BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech women's basketball team returns home to host in-state rival Virginia in the ACC home opener for the Hokies. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum.

Game Information
Date/Time: January 9, 2014/7 p.m.
Opponent: Virginia
Site: Blacksburg, Va. (Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: 100.7 FM WNMX
Talent: Andrew Allegretta, play-by-play
TV: N/A
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Live Video: HokiesXtra
Game Notes: Virginia Tech | Virginia

The Hokies
In its last game, Virginia Tech dropped a 70-63 decision at Boston College on January 5 to open the 2013-14 ACC schedule.

The Hokies and Eagles kept the game close in the first half, with BC taking a 32-25 lead in to the break. Tech came out of the break outscoring the Eagles 7-3 in the opening minute to cut the lead down to 35-32, but BC responded with an 11-5 run to pull in front 46-37 with 12:47 to go. The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes before the Eagles used a short run to take their largest lead of the game, up 13 with 7:54 to play. That would be BC’s last field goal for the next four minutes, as the Hokies went on a 9-0 run, cutting it to 60-56 off a layup from Uju Ugoka. With under two minutes to go, Tech got baskets on back-to-back trips down the court and pulled within two (65-63) with 1:35 remaining. However, BC hit the final two baskets of the game to hold off the Hokies and secure the win.

Both teams shot over 45 percent from the field, as Tech connected on 27-of-58 and BC hit 26-of-56, but the Eagles dropped in 10 three-pointers to the Hokies’ five.

Ugoka led the Hokies’ offense on the day with 23 points and eight rebounds in just 28 minutes, after being sidelined in the first half with foul trouble. Monet Tellier posted 17 points while Panousis dished out 10 assists for the second time this season.

Ugoka leads Tech on the season, averaging 19.4 points and 10.7 rebounds. The senior is one of three players in the Atlantic Coast Conference currently averaging a double-double. She is tied for second in the conference in rebounding and third in scoring. Vanessa Panousis is adding 11.1 points and chipping in 4.9 assists. Tellier is averaging 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

The Cavaliers
Virginia fell in a close contest against ACC newcomer Pittsburgh, 79-75, in its last game, a Jan. 5 contest in Charlottesville. Kelsey Wolfe and Faith Randolph dropped in 21 points each to lead the Cavaliers. Ataira Franklin and Sarah Imovbioh added 11 points each for the offensive side. Lexie Gerson grabbed eight rebounds.

The loss to Pitt snapped a three-game win streak for the Cavaliers after they defeated Princeton, Coppin State and Florida Gulf Coast. UVa has picked up wins in four of its last six contests.

Franklin leads the ‘Hoos on the season with 12.4 points per game. Randolph is adding 11.5 ppg, while Imovbiah is adding 11.0 points and pulling down a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game. Kelsey Wolfe is handing out 3.2 assists per game and is fourth on the team in scoring with 9.7 ppg.

The Series
The series against UVA marks one of the oldest in program history with the two teams meeting every season except one (1991-92) since 1976. Virginia holds the 41-8 lead in the all-time series and the Hokies will be looking to snap a 14-game skid against the Cavaliers after losing last season’s two contests by a combined seven points. Last year in Blacksburg, the Hokies were led by Lauren Evans and Monet Tellier with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Franklin and Telia McCall had 12 points each for the Cavaliers.

Up Next: The Hokies remain home and will host Miami on Sunday, Jan 12 in a rematch of last season’s ACC Tournament contest. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.

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