March 2, 2002

Virginia Tech finished the 2001-2002 season by losing to Miami 83-77 in front of 5,011 fans in a BIG EAST game at the Miami Arena in Miami.

The Hokies finished the season with a 10-18 overall record, including a 4-12 mark in the BIG EAST. Miami, a sure-fire upcoming NCAA Tournament participant, tied a school single-season record with its 23rd win against only six losses as the 'Canes get ready to head to the BIG EAST tournament next week. The 'Canes went 10-6 in league play this season.

Miami got a big first-half lead on Tech by using two big runs. A 13-2 run early in the game gave Miami a 15-4 lead and the 'Canes later went on a 15-3 run to take a 17-point lead shortly before halftime.

Making matters worse, Miami scored on its final five possessions heading into halftime and took a 43-31 lead at the break, and then scored on seven of its first eight possessions of the second half. The 'Canes led by 18 with more than 14 minutes to go.

But Tech rallied, going on a 26-11 run over the next 10 minutes. The Hokies cut the lead to three, 72-69, on Carlton Carter's basket with 4:20 left in the game.

But Miami scored the next six points and the Hokies never came any closer than the final margin.

"I'm really proud of the guys," Tech head coach Ricky Stokes said. "We could have packed it in and instead we put ourselves in a position to win. We just need to learn how to finish games like these."

Tech got back in the game by shooting 61.5 percent from the floor in the second half. The Hokies hit 11 3-pointers for the game, outrebounded Miami and outshot the 'Canes (49.1 percent to 46.8 percent). But the Hokies also turned the ball over 18 times.

Bryant Matthews paced four Tech players in double figures with 15 points. Carlos Dixon added 14 points and seven assists, while both Brian Chase and Eric Branham finished with 12.

Elton Tyler, who scored 20 against the Hokies in Blacksburg earlier this season, led the 'Canes with 24 points. Darius Rice added 14 points, with James Jones and Marcus Barnes scoring 13 each. John Salmons, Miami's 6-foot-7 point guard, scored 11 points and dished out 10 assists.