BLACKSBURG - After coming close so many times earlier in the season, Virginia Tech finally got its signature win, defeating fourteenth-ranked Miami 73-65 Thursday night from Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum in front of a raucous 2,213 fans. It was the first time since 2008 that the Hokies had defeated the Hurricanes snapping a 15-game streak.
With the win, Tech moves to 17-9, 4-9 on the season, while Miami falls to 22-6, 10-3.
"This is a great win for this team and also this program," head coach Kenny Brooks said in a postgame interview. "They continue to battle, I'm very proud of the kids., they knew that eventually we would get things right and it's a great win for them. They put it all together, a lot of kids came out and contributed and I'm very happy for them."
(2/21/2019) 2019 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs. MIAMI
Tech got off to a bit of a slow start, falling behind by as many as 12 points early in the second quarter, but they never lost their focus and cut the 'Canes' lead four heading into the locker room with a quick 6-0 spurt.
In the second half, shots started falling for the Hokies who finished the night with 14 3-pointers, their most in a game since dropping 13 in the road win at Pitt. Aisha Sheppard was instrumental, tying her season high with 17 points on 5 of 9 shooting from downtown. The sophomore made her third start of the season.
"Aisha Sheppard and I had a long shooting session yesterday and she really took it to heart and she came out and she knocked down shots, she was very confident", Brooks said of her performance.
Perhaps the key to the game was Regan Magarity's play in the low post, specifically the manner in which she rebounded the ball against Miami's two centers, Emese Hof and Beatrice Mompremier. Magarity, the league's leader in rebounds, corralled a new career best 19 on the night, a big reason why Tech held an edge on the glass and had extra possession. She struggled shooting the ball, just 3 of 15 for 7 points, but her impact was still felt.
Taylor Emery, the Hokies' all-conference guard stood up on the biggest stage, scoring 24 points and was 10 of 10 from the free throw line. The senior held the ball in her hands as the horn sounded as she encouraged the Cassell faithful to make some noise.
Tech, the national leader in free throw percentage was nearly perfect from the line and knocked them down when it mattered top salt the game away, going 21 of 24.
Dara Mabrey chipped in with 9 points and 5 assists.
Miami had four players on double figures led by Mykea Gray's 20 and Mompremier's double-double with 18 and 15 boards. As a team, the Hurricanes shot 40 percent from the field
Inside the box score:
• Tech was outscored 32-8 in the paint, however hit 14 3-pointers on the night, compared to the Hurricanes' eight triples.
• Virginia Tech had an edge on the glass despite the size of Miami's post players 42-36.
• All of the Hokies' points were scored by the game's starters.
Other key notes:
• With the win, Virginia Tech snaps a streak of 17 straight losses to ranked opposition, dating back to a 67-63 victory over No. 17 Tennessee on Nov. 27, 2016.
• Of Tech's four conference wins, the triumph over Miami was their first inside the confines of Cassell Coliseum.
What's next: Virginia Tech will head to Clemson for a 1 p.m. tip on Sunday, Feb. 24 on Regional Sports Networks.
Individuals interested in pledging a donation for each free throw that the Hokies make in the month of February can sign up at this link HERE.
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