Women's Basketball: Michigan Crushes Hokies in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

by Brian Bartley

December 3, 2009

The Virginia Tech women's basketball team welcomed the Michigan Wolverines to Cassell Coliseum on Thursday night for its game in this year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge.  Unfortunately for the Hokies, the Wolverines proved to be the far superior team, dominating throughout on their way to a 71-51 win.

"When you shoot the ball well, you look good," Michigan head coach Kevin Borseth said of the Wolverines 51 percent shooting performance.

"We needed to close out more on their shooters," Hokies forward Utahya Drye said after the game.  "  Our communication has to get better on defense."

As good as the Wolverines shot the ball, the Hokies were equally as dreadful by posting 28 percent shooting for the game.

"I think it was a complete breakdown on offense," Dunkenberger said of her team's shooting.  "When that happens, you [only] hit 28 percent of your shots."

The Wolverines jumped out to a 15-5 lead by the second media timeout and extended that lead to 17 points before an anger-induced timeout by Beth Dunkenberger with 8:32 left in the half. 

The Hokies came out of the timeout and turned their 17-point deficit into just a 9-point hole going into halftime.

All of Virginia Tech's momentum that was taken into locker room, regrettably stayed there as the second half got underway.

The Wolverines opened up the second half on a 24-6 run that was highlighted by a Dayeesha Hollins ankle-breaking cross over that left Hokies guard Nikki Davis on her back, and the Wolverine bench in a wild frenzy of celebration.

At their peak, the Wolverines led by almost 30 points before a small Hokie rally brought it back to 20 by the end of the game.

"I was disappointed with our defensive effort," a clearly frustrated Dunkenberger said.  "We'll get in and try and fix that at the earliest possible date, and that's tomorrow."

Despite the presences of 6'6" Michigan center, Krista Phillips, the Hokies were able to outrebound the Wolverines 45-32, with an overwhelming 21-6 on the offensive glass alone.

That rebounding advantage may have actually been part of the reason the Hokies lost according to Drye, who said the Hokies "were worried too much about their size, and not on their shooters."

Statistically, the Wolverines were led by Veronica Hicks, who had 19 points.  Three other Michigan players registered double digits in scoring.

The Hokies lone double-digit scorer was Nikki Davis, who posted 11 points.  Drye followed with 9 points, while no other Hokies scored more than six points in the game.

"I think it was a complete breakdown on offense," Dunkenberger said.  "When that happens you shoot 27 percent [and lose]."

The Hokies will get two much needed home games against predictably weaker opponents in North Carolina Central and Mount St. Mary's on December 3^rd and 6^th respectively.

The Hokies game against NC Central on Sunday will tip-off at 1 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum.