No. 19/20 Tech opens ACC slate hosting North Carolina

Hokies host Heels 7 p.m. Monday

January 1, 2017

BLACKSBURG - The No. 19/20 Virginia Tech women's basketball team will open the 2016-17 ACC slate on Monday, Jan. 2 hosting North Carolina in a 7 p.m. contest at Cassell Coliseum.

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: January 2, 2017 / 7 p.m.
Opponent: North Carolina
Site: Blacksburg, Va. (Cassell Coliseum)
Radio: 100.7 FM WNMX / HokiesXtra
Talent: Andrew Allegretta, play-by-play
TV: N/A
Live Stats: HokieSports.com
Live Video: WatchESPN
Game Notes: Virginia Tech

THE HOKIES (13-0, 0-0 ACC)
Virginia Tech moved to 13-0 this season after defeating Delaware State 88-48 the last time out, marking the second best start in program history. Chanette Hicks and Samantha Hill led the Hokies with 14 points each. Hicks also handed out seven assists and scooped up five steals. Vanessa Panousis added 12 points while Kaela Kinder tallied 10. Regan Magarity and Sidney Cook continued to put up double-doubles with Magarity recording 10 points, 11 boards and Cook with 10 points, 14 rebounds.

The Hokies got off to a slow start in the opening quarter, holding a three-point, 11-8 lead just past the midway mark. Virginia Tech answered with a 21-4 run that spanned into the second frame to go on top 32-12 with 8:15 on the clock. The Hokies closed out the half on a 10-0 run to take a 52-21 lead into the break. Virginia Tech pushed its lead in the second half, taking the largest at 5:02 in the fourth, up 86-40. Delaware State closed out the game, outscoring Tech 8-2.

Hicks leads the Hokies, averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Cook is posting 14.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg. Magarity is averaging 12.6 ppg and 9.0 rebounds per game while Panousis is tallying 10.2 ppg and Samantha Hill is adding 9.8 ppg.

THE TAR HEELS (11-2, 0-0 ACC)
North Carolina rolled past South Carolina State, 82-49 on Friday. Stephanie Watts dropped in 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Tar Heels. Jamie Cherry added 14 points while Destinee Walker and Taylor Koenen added 11 points each.

UNC jumped out to the early lead and never looked back against the Bulldogs after outscoring South Carolina State 22-12 in the opening frame. The Tar Heels were up 37-18 at the break. SCSt shot strong in the third quarter, but UNC still held the 25-23 advantage before rolling in the fourth quarter, holding the 20-8 advantage over the Bulldogs.

Watts leads the team, averaging 19.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Paris Kea is chipping in 15.1 ppg while Walker is tallying 11.8 ppg. Cherry is posting 11.0 ppg and has handed out a team-high 58 assists on the season.

THE SERIES
This marks the 23rd meeting between the Hokies and Tar Heels with UNC holding an 18-4 advantage in the series. The Tar Heels have won the past two meetings, including a close 71-67 victory last season in Chapel Hill.

Former Tech player Hannah Young led the Hokies with 22 points and eight rebounds. Panousis had 14 while Magarity tallied seven points, eight boards. Watts and Walker led the Tar Heels with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Up Next: Virginia Tech will have a midweek bye before traveling to Clemson next week for 2 p.m. game on January 8.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WBBall