Virginia Tech 53, West Virginia 49
by Chris Coleman and Will Stewart, 2/28/04
Blacksburg, VA -- Using a game high 28 points from Bryant Matthews and a great defensive effort, Virginia Tech managed to hold off rival West Virginia 53-49 in Cassell Coliseum on Saturday. Matthews, held to 6 points in the first half, poured in 22 in the second half, including 11 points in a row for the Hokies, as they increased a 37-36 lead to 48-43 with 33 seconds to go.
In a game that resembled hand to hand combat more so than a basketball game, the Hokies held WVU to just 15 of 46 shooting (32.6%), including a paltry 6 of 24 (25%) in the second half. Tech didn't shoot much better for the game, connecting on just 16 of 47 shots (34%), but they did hit 10 of 21 (47.6%) in the second half and out-rebounded the Mountaineers 35-33. The Hokies also forced 17 turnovers.
Virginia Tech came out flat on offense during the first half, shooting only 23.1% (6 of 26) in the first 20 minutes of the game. However, thanks to great defensive performances by Bryant Matthews (5 steals) and Philip McCandies (3 blocks), the Hokies were able to stay in the game. Reserve guard Shawn Harris had an outstanding day for Tech, scoring 10 points, grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. With the Hokies struggling, down 19-9 with 5:37 to go in the first half, Harris dropped in two straight three-pointers to close the gap to 19-15.
The key play of the game came with 33 seconds left on the clock and the Hokies leading 45-43. With just a few seconds left on the shot clock, Matthews hit a 3 pointer from the wing that gave Tech a five point lead. It was the biggest shot of the day for Matthews, who went 7 of 15 from the field, and 12 of 15 from the free throw line. The Hokies were able to hit their free throws from that point and go on to win the game. Kevin Pittsnogle led West Virginia in scoring with 22 points. Patrick Beilein, son of WVU coach John Balein, chipped in with 12 points.
With the victory, the Hokies (12-13, 5-9 Big East) have won the most Big East games in their four-year history in the league, and their 12 victories are the most since Tech went 16-15 in 1999-2000, their last year in the Atlantic 10. The season sweep of WVU is the first time the Hokies have swept a Big East opponent. Tech also takes one step closer to making the Big East Tournament for the first time in school history. If the Hokies win one more game, or the Miami Hurricanes lose another game, Tech is guaranteed a spot in the tournament at Madison Square Garden. West Virginia falls to 14-11 overall, and 6-8 in Big East play.
The Hokies return to action Wednesday night at Cassell Coliseum when they take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-9, 7-7). Game time is 7 p.m., and it is the Hokies' last home game of the year.
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Virginia Tech 53, West Virginia 49
2/28/04, Blacksburg, VA
Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total
West Virginia................. 24 25 49
Virginia Tech................. 20 33 53
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WEST VIRGINIA (14-11, 6-8)
fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
T Sally 27 2-4 1-2 3-6 0 5 5
K Pittsnogle 33 6-16 6-9 2-8 0 5 22
D Fischer 24 1-4 4-4 1-3 0 4 6
J Collins 30 1-3 0-1 1-3 1 1 2
J Herber 37 1-8 0-0 1-3 3 2 2
P Beilein 28 4-8 2-5 1-4 2 4 12
T Relph 17 0-2 0-0 0-1 3 1 0
F Young 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
J Young 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0
J Curran 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
_____________________________________________________
TOTALS 200 15-46 13-21 9-28 9 23 49
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Percentages: FG-.326, FT-.619. 3-Point Goals:
6-24, .250 (T Sally 0-1, K Pittsnogle 4-9, J
Collins 0-2, J Herber 0-3, P Beilein 2-6, T
Relph 0-2, F Young 0-1). Team Rebounds: 5.
Blocked Shots: 5 (K Pittsnogle 2, D Fischer
2, J Young). Turnovers: 17 (T Sally 5, J
Collins 4, K Pittsnogle 2, J Herber 2, P
Beilein 2, D Fischer, J Young). Steals: 9 (T
Sally 3, J Collins 3, P Beilein 2, K
Pittsnogle).
VIRGINIA TECH (12-13, 5-9)
fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
B Matthews 40 7-15 12-15 5-7 1 2 28
C Collins 10 0-2 0-0 0-2 1 3 0
Z Dowdell 36 1-8 1-2 0-8 4 1 4
J Gordon 32 2-6 0-0 1-2 2 3 4
M Sailes 23 0-3 2-2 1-2 0 2 2
B Randall 7 0-2 0-0 1-1 0 1 0
A Calloway 7 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 3 2
S Harris 22 4-9 0-2 2-6 3 0 10
P McCandies 23 1-1 1-4 0-5 1 4 3
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TOTALS 200 16-47 16-25 10-34 12 19 53
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Percentages: FG-.340, FT-.640. 3-Point Goals:
5-17, .294 (B Matthews 2-3, Z Dowdell 1-3, J
Gordon 0-3, M Sailes 0-2, B Randall 0-1, S
Harris 2-5). Team Rebounds: 1. Blocked Shots:
5 (P McCandies 3, A Calloway, M Sailes).
Turnovers: 13 (Z Dowdell 4, B Matthews 3, M
Sailes 2, J Gordon 2, P McCandies, B
Randall). Steals: 11 (B Matthews 5, Z Dowdell
3, J Gordon 2, B Randall).
Technical fouls: Virginia Tech 1 (J Gordon). A:
9,354. Officials: Gene Monje, Karl Hess, Tim
Higgins
2003-2004 Men's Basketball Schedule/Results