Lady Hokies treat fans to a win and some ice cream
by Neal Turnage
November 20, 2006

The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team promoted its game against Delaware State with a post-game Ben & Jerry’s ice cream social, but the real treat was the game itself as the Hokies took down the Hornets 66 to 50.

Coming off a 70-40 loss to tenth-ranked LSU, coach Beth Dunkenberger commented on the necessity to play well in this game.  “We wanted to come back and reclaim our home court and take some pride in playing in Cassell Coliseum.”

Tech did just that, taking what was a tight first half lead (32-29) and stretching it to as many 18 points in the second half.

“I think our poor defensive transition had a lot to do with [the first half],” said Dunkenberger, “of their 29 points, 13 of them came in transition from us not getting back and getting matched up.  Once we did a better job of that I think you saw a much better defensive effort in the second half.”

The Hornets’ Rachel Collier led all scorers with 19 points, but poor shooting (30.2%) and a lack of bench scoring (6 points)  proved to be the undoing for Delaware State.  The Hokies, on the other hand, shot 62.8% on the game, led by Britney Anderson’s and Nare Diawara’s 13 points apiece.   Brittany Cook came off the bench to add 10 points on five of six shooting.

“A couple of my baskets came off of some nice assists from [Anderson] so thank God for that,” said Cook.

Diawara also led the Hokies in rebounding, pulling down nine boards.  Guards Kirby Copeland and Laura Haskins combined for 12 assists on the afternoon.

“Kirby is committed to us winning games and sharing the ball,” said Dunkenberger.  “She had six assists and when teams key in on trying to double team her and trying to stop her, typically she’s going to find the open person.”

After the game, the team met with fans for ice cream and autographs.  When asked about the flavor of choice, Anderson, who played 26 minutes, joked, “anything right now sounds good.”

Up next the Hokies take on Iowa State in the Malibu, Calif., in the first round of the Pepperdine Thanksgiving Tournament.  The matchup is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.  Day two of the event will see Virginia Tech take on either Tennessee Tech or Pepperdine.