Women upset No. 4 Terps

The Tech women's basketball team finally exorcised their stretch jitters and closed out a ranked team. The Jackets toppled a then No. 4 Maryland squad, 77-72, last Thursday at the Coliseum. Maryland was coming off a loss to North Carolina and Tech was riding a two-game win streak after winning at home against Boston College and at Wake Forest.

This was Tech's first win over a team ranked as high as Maryland since beating No. 4 Maryland in the 1992 ACC Tournament. Last season, Tech came close in the ACC tournament, losing by five points to the team that would eventually become the National Champions. Tech was able to capitalize on key defensive plays. They forced 14 turnovers in the first half that led to 17 points and forced 10 turnovers in the second half to keep the Terrapins at bay.

Stephanie Higgs led all scorers with 26 points and hit five of six free throws in the final minutes to seal the win. Janie Mitchell scored 17 points in just 26 minutes and Jacqua Williams added 16.

For the Terrapins, Marissa Coleman lead the team with 17; three other players also scored in double figures. Both teams were even on the glass, but the key to the game was that Tech forced six more turnovers than Maryland.

Maryland took the lead on a foul shot by Laura Harper. Janie Mitchell scored on the other end that gave the Jackets a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish.

After Marissa Coleman's lay-up made the score 6-5, Higgs took over and hit a short jumper. Mitchell followed it with a short jumper and Higgs struck again with her only three-point basket of the game that gave Tech an eight-point lead.

The teams traded baskets until Jacqua Williams' three-pointer gave Tech a 10-point lead. Maryland slowly clawed their way back into the game, but the closest they got to tying the game was a six-point deficit on Crystal Langhorne's free throws. Tech ended the half leading the visitors by 13. Tech outscored the Terps 17-3 on points off turnovers.

Maryland opened the second half scoring two quick baskets, but Chioma Nnamaka answered back with her first three-pointer of the game. Neither team scored for the next two minutes until Kristi Toliver hit a three to bring the Terps within nine.

After the teams traded baskets, Harper brought Maryland's deficit down to seven with two free throws. Maryland got within five points of the Jackets twice in the next six minutes but never got closer.

Tech continued their pressure defense and made crucial free throws down the stretch. Tech consistently kept their lead between five and eight points.

The teams combined for 76 foul shots, with Tech taking the majority and scoring 31-close to half their total score.

Coming off a big win at home, Tech took a three-game conference winning streak to Blacksburg. Virginia Tech came off a non-conference win against Morehead St and were able to carry that momentum into this game, beating the Jackets 73-68.

The Jackets played the Hokies close for 35 minutes and let the game slip away near the end. Virginia Tech scored a quick five points to open the game.

Tech didn't lie down, though, and stormed back and took a one point lead on a jumper by Janie Mitchell. Georgia Tech then went on a 15-6 run to take a 10 point lead. The Jackets led by as many as 11 until the Hokies were slowly able to tie the game at the five minute mark.

The teams scored back and forth with Virginia Tech scoring six points in the final minute to take a six point lead into the half.

Virginia Tech was able to keep a safe lead between them and the Jackets by scoring often and trading basket for basket.

Fortunately for the Jackets, they never let the Hokies have a double-digit lead and were able to tie the game with six minutes left. Following the tie, though, the Hokies took back the lead and never relinquished it. The Jackets were able to hang in the end, but couldn't bring themselves to finish Virginia Tech.

Tech took 18 more shots than the Hokies, but the difference came at the foul line. The Jackets took advantage of their foul shots by making 10 of 13; Virginia Tech shot a lower percentage, but had far more opportunities hitting 22 of 31. The Jackets were out-rebounded for just the fourth time this season (41-30)

Tech travels to Tallahassee to take on Florida State on Feb. 9th.