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No. 24/25 Hokies defeat Auburn, 92-87 in overtime
Hicks tallies first career double-double, ties Tech single-game assist record
December 18, 2016
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 (24) Virginia Tech (11-0) | 20 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 92 |
 Auburn (8-3) | 15 | 22 | 15 | 25 | 10 | 87 |
| ||||||
AUBURN, Ala. – In thrilling fashion, the No. 24/25 Virginia Tech women’s basketball team defeated #RV/RV Auburn 92-87 in overtime on Sunday evening at Auburn Arena. The Hokies improve to 11-0 on the season while the Tigers drop to 8-3.
Sidney Cook led the Hokies with 23 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Vanessa Panousis tallied 20 points and drained five baskets from outside the arc. Regan Magarity secured her fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
Chanette Hicks recorded the first double-double of her career with 18 points and a Tech program record tying 13 assists. Sharing the record is Lisa Witherspoon who hit the mark twice in the late 90s and Lisa Leftwich who had 13 in 1992.
“I am so proud of these kids,” said head coach Kenny Brooks. “The game had a lot of ebbs and flows and I thought the kids really kept their composure throughout when we needed it. When we lost a little momentum there at the end of the fourth quarter, I thought we were really able to overcome it and power through during the overtime. Any time you can go on the road, to an SEC school and get a win is a good feeling. This game will do a lot for our confidence going forward.”
Virginia Tech led 77-73 with 20 seconds to play in regulation, but Auburn used a couple of Tech miscues to tie it up 77-77 and force the game into overtime. The Tigers scored the first basket in the extra period, but the Hokies answered with a 6-2 run to go on top 83-81 with 2:32 to go. Auburn cut it down to a one-point game, but Tech’s Hicks went to work, scoring five unanswered points while Cook added a pair of free throws in a 7-0 run. The Tigers hit another one from outside with 18 seconds remaining to pull within three, but Hicks drained a pair of free throws to secure the win.
To open the game, the Hokies used an 8-0 run sparked by a four-point play from Panousis midway through the quarter to go on top 18-7 with 2:29 to go. Auburn answered with an 8-0 run of its own, making it a three-point game in the final minute. A layup from Magarity gave the Hokies a 20-15 lead after the first frame. Auburn opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run to give the Tigers their first lead of the game. The Tigers lead most of the second period and were up by four with 2:26 to play. Tech went to work, closing out the half with a 9-2 run capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Panousis, giving the Hokies a 40-37 advantage at the break.
In the third quarter, Auburn reclaimed the lead and was up 49-46 with 5:17 on the clock, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Magarity and Cook pushed the Hokies back in front. The Tigers pulled within two late, but Tech again answered with a 10-1 run highlighted by back-to-back threes from Kendyl Brooks to lead 61-52 heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Hokies shot an impressive 52.4 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent from long-range. Tech was also strong at the free throw line, connecting on 14-of-17. The Hokies also led on the glass, pulling down 37 rebounds to 26 by the Tigers. Auburn led the turnover battle, forcing 22 for 34 points.
Virginia Tech will be back on the court at home, hosting Radford on Wednesday, Dec. 21 in a 1 p.m. game at Cassell Coliseum. It is the Hokies final game before the holiday break.
For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WBBall
