Hokies host Rider in WNIT first round

Tech faces Broncs at 7 p.m. Friday in Cassell Coliseum

March 16, 2017

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women's basketball team is making its second consecutive apperance in the WNIT, hosting Rider on Friday, March 17. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum. This marks the Hokies 14th postseason apperance and fifth in the WNIT.

GAME INFORMATION

Date/Time: March 17, 2017 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: Rider
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: HokieSports.com
Game Notes: Virginia Tech | Rider

THE HOKIES (17-13, 4-12 ACC)
Virginia Tech fell short against Clemson 67-66 in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Regan Magarity had her 14th double-double of the year to lead the Hokies with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Chanette Hicks tallied 20 points, five assists and three steals while Samantha Hill tallied 14 points.

Virginia Tech and Clemson kept it close in the opening half with the Hokies leading to 32-30 at the break. The teams traded baskets to open the third before Clemson used a 6-0 run to take a four-point lead. Tech stayed within striking distance, but the Tigers maintained and were up 50-47 heading into the final 10 minutes. Clemson took its largest lead of the game midway through the quarter, going up 60-52, but Tech responded as Magarity hit back-to-back layups, cutting it to four a minute later. The Tigers scored on their next possession, but this time it was Hicks’ turn as she hit back-to-back layups to close within two. Tech and Clemson were tied heading into the final minute as Hill drained a pair of free throws. The Tigers again scored, but Vanessa Panousis hit a jumper to knot it at 66-66 with 27 seconds to go. An unfortunate foul call on the Hokies sent CU to the line with three seconds to go where they sank the second in a pair to help secure the win.

Hicks leads the Hokies, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 assists and 3.6 steals per game. Sidney Cook is posting 13.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg. Magarity is averaging 13.6 ppg and 9.8 rebounds per game. She ranks second in the ACC in double-doubles on the season. Hill is adding 10.0 ppg.

THE BRONCS (24-8, 16-4 MAAC)
Rider fell to Quinnipiac in the MAAC Tournament Championship game, 81-73. Julia Duggan led the Broncs with 23 points and nine rebounds. Kamila Hoskova tallied 16 points while Stella Johnson and Lexi Posset each added 14.

The Broncs went on top after the opening quarter 17-11, but the Bobcats battled back in the second to take a one-point 30-29 lead at the half. Quinnipiac kept its run going outscoring the Broncs 23-13 in the third frame, taking a 53-42 margin into the final 10 minutes. Rider looked to make a run in the fourth and actually held the scoring advantage, cutting it to six late in the fourth. The Bobcats used free throw shooting to help secure the win.

Robin Perkins leads the Broncs with 15.5 points per game. She was named the MAAC Player of the Year, but has missed seven of the last eight games with a foot injury. Hoskova earned second team all-conference and is averaging 12.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Duggan, third team All-MAAC, is chipping in 11.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the Hokies and Broncs all-time. Tech has only faced teams from the MAAC twice before and are 1-1 against the league. The Hokies defeated Iona 50-49 on Jan. 3, 1997 but fell to Siena 69-64 on Dec. 30, 1997.

The only opponent the two teams shared this season is UCF. Tech defeated the Knights 67-64 while the Broncs fell 49-30.

Up Next: With a win, the Hokies would advance to face the winner of George Washington/Navy in the second round. Date and time are TBD.

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