No. 19/20 Hokies host Delaware State to close out 2016

Tech plays Hornets 7 p.m. Friday at Cassell

December 29, 2016

BLACKSBURG - The No. 19/20 Virginia Tech women's basketball team will close out 2016 on Friday at 7 p.m., hosting Delaware State at Cassell Coliseum

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: December 30, 2016 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: Delaware State
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: WatchESPN
Game Notes: Virginia Tech

THE HOKIES (12-0)
Virginia Tech is off to a 12-0 start this season after defeating Radford 71-52 the last time out. Chanette Hicks led the Hokies with 18 points, eight steals, seven rebounds and four assists. Sidney Cook posted her third double-double in four games with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Regan Magarity added 15 points and eight boards.

The Hokies held just a five point, 21-16 lead at the break, but used a strong third quarter to push the lead. Tech outscored the Highlanders 24-8 in the frame to pull ahead 58-30 heading into the final 10 minutes. Radford actually held the advantage in the fourth 22-13, but the Hokies lead was too much to overcome.

Hicks leads the Hokies, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Cook is posting 14.9 ppg and 9.2 rpg. Magarity is averaging 12.8 ppg and 8.8 rebounds per game while Vanessa Panousis is tallying 10.0 ppg and Samantha Hill is adding 9.4 ppg.

THE HORNETS (1-10)
Delaware State had a shootout against Longwood on Wednesday, falling to the Lancers 88-77. NaJai Pollard dropped in 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Hornets while Mikah Aldridge tallied 18 points.

The first half was close with the Lancers holding a 44-42 lead at the break over the Hornets. Delaware State trailed in the third as Longwood outscored the Hornets 20-15 in the frame to go up 64-57 heading into the fourth. In the final quarter, Longwood pushed the lead to 14, but the Hornets kept battling, cutting it down to seven several times in the final minutes. Longwood was strong from the line to help secure the win.

Pollard leads the team with 18.5 ppg and 9.9 rpg. Aldridge is recording 13.5 ppg while Aaliyah Davis is averaging 7.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg.

THE SERIES
This marks the second meeting between the Hokies and Hornets. Tech won the only previous meeting 66-50 on Nov. 18, 2006. Current Tech assistant coach Britney Anderson along with teammate Nare Diawara led the Hokies with 13 points each in the game.

Up Next: Virginia Tech will open ACC play on Jan. 2, hosting North Carolina. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum.

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