December 6, 2000

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Sarah Hicks scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds but Virginia Tech's second half rally fell short as the Hokies dropped a 61-53 decision at #7 Rutgers. The game was Tech's first-ever in the BIG EAST Conference.

Rutgers (4-1) built a 17-point (43-26) lead with 14:38 remaining in the game only to see the Hokies put together a 12-0 run to cut lead to only five points with 10:23 left. The Scarlet Knights responded to build the advantage back to 13 points with 2:16 remaining to finally put the stubborn Hokies away.

Virginia Tech (5-2) was led by Hicks 18-point effort followed by Chrystal Starling with 11. Amy Wetzel, playing with a sprained right ankle, contributed nine point and played 38 minutes. Rutgers was led by Tasha Pointer with 21 points and Karlita Washington with 13.

Virginia Tech hosts Radford Saturday at 2 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.