BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech women's basketball team is set to travel to No. 11/8 North Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 23. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Information
Date/Time: February 23, 2014 / 2 p.m.
Opponent: #11/8 North Carolina
Site: Chapel Hill, N.C. (Carmichael Arena)
Radio: 100.7 FM WNMX
Talent: Andrew Allegretta, play-by-play
TV: N/A
Live Stats: GoHeels.com
Live Video: ESPN3
Game Notes: Virginia Tech | North Carolina
The Hokies
The last time out, the Hokies downed ACC newcomer Pittsburgh, 69-62 at Cassell Coliseum on Feb. 20.
From the opening tip the game was back-and-forth between the two teams, but Virginia Tech held the 29-25 lead at the break. Pitt made the early run in the second half and took a 30-29 lead, but the Hokies answered back, outscoring the Panthers 11-4 over a four minute span to go on top 40-34 with 13:29 to go. Tech maintained the advantage, but Pitt again threatened late in the game, cutting it down to 57-56 with just under three minutes to go. The Hokies were clutch at the line in the final minutes, going 12-of-14 to hold off the Panthers and secure the win.
Vanessa Panousis led the Hokies with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Uju Ugoka recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It marks the most double-doubles in a single season by a Tech player since Kerri Gardin tallied 13 during the 2005-06 season. Kelsey Conyers came off the bench to chip in nine points for Tech. Taijah Campbell was also strong on the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds.
Ugoka leads Tech on the year, averaging 19.0 points and 9.8 rebounds. She is fourth in the conference in scoring and third in rebounding. Panousis is notching 12.4 points and chipping in 4.1 assists. Monet Tellier is adding 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.88 assists.
The Tar Heels
No. 11/8 North Carolina defeated Virginia, 80-74 on Feb. 20 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville.
UNC held a two-point, 34-32 lead at the break and used a 24-7 run in the opening nine minutes of the second half to extend the advantage to 58-39. Virginia cut it under double-digits in the final minute, but the Tar Heels secured the win from the line.
Stephanie Mavunga recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Allisha Gray led the Tar Heels with 18 points. Diamond DeShields posted 13 points while Latifah Coleman and N’Dea Bryant recorded 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Three of the Tar Heels’ top scorers on the season are freshmen and are led by DeShields’ 18.1 points per game. Gray is adding 15.1 ppg while Mavunga is tallying 11.2 ppg and grabbing a team-best 8.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Xylina McDaniel is the other top scorer, averaging 12.2 ppg.
The Series
North Carolina holds the 16-3 lead in the all-time series, and won both meetings last season. The Tar Heels edged the Hokies last season in Chapel Hill, 48-45. Ugoka posted 15 points for Tech while Tellier dropped in 12 points. McDaniel recorded 14 points for the Heels.
Up Next: The Hokies will be back in Cassell Coliseum when they host Clemson on Thursday, Feb. 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Tech will recognize seniors Tellier, Ugoka, Nia Evans, Porschia Hadley and senior manager Morgan Allen prior to the game.
For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WBBall