Michigan State University
Virginia Tech
Women's Basketball Falls To Virginia Tech
11/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2000
TALAHASSEE, Fla. - Cold field goal shooting doomed Michigan State in the first game of the Tallahassee Democrat Seminole Classic as the Spartans fell to Virginia Tech, 50-36.
Michigan State shot just 21.7 percent (10-of-46) for the game, including a 4-for-26 effort (15.4 percent) in the first half. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, shot 44.1 percent (15-of-34) for the game from the field and 42.9 percent (3-of-7) from beyond the three-point arc.
"It was a defensive battle," said MSU Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. "It was definitely an ugly contest and we had our opportunities down the stretch. I was disappointed that we did not capitalize as a team and fell short of playing 40 minutes of Spartan basketball. This is another lesson for us to grow and another opportunity for our team tomorrow evening."
The Spartans never got things going in the first half. The Hokies jumped out to an early 16-8 lead before Becky Cummings converted on a layup to pull the Spartans within six, 16-10, with 10:22 remaining in the first half. Virginia Tech went on a 9-4 run before a pair of free throws by Christie Pung brought the Spartans within nine, 25-16 with 3:18 remaining. Neither team would score a basket over the next 3:18, expect for a pair of free throws by the Hokies' Nicole Jones with a 1:11 remaining to give Virginia Tech a 27-16 advantage heading to the locker room at halftime.
The teams came out the locker room and Virginia Tech made two straight baskets to take a 15-point lead (31-16) with 18:13 remaining. After a two-point jumper by Vnemina Reese and a free throw by Becky Cummings, the Spartans trailed by 12 (31-19) with 15:49 remaining.
Michigan State slowly cut into Virginia Tech's lead. The Spartans pulled with seven (34-27) on a pair of free throws by Vnemina Reese and then within five, 36-31, with 5:15 remaining as Candice Jackson hit one of two free throws. The Spartans could only manage five points over the next 5:15, while Virginia Tech connected on 12 of their final 13 free throw attempts to seal the victory.
Becky Cummings and Vnemina Reese led the Spartans with seven points apiece. Cummings also added 11 rebounds. Chrystal Starling led Virginia Tech (3-0 overall) with 15 points, while Sarah Hicks and Tere Williams added 12 apiece.
The Spartans (1-2 overall) will play Chicago State in the consolation game of the Tallahassee Democrat Seminole Classic Sunday (Nov. 26), at 2 p.m. Florida State beat Chicago State, 85-45 in the second semifinal on Nov. 25.
