Men's Basketball Knocks Off Virginia Tech, 86-61

Feb. 6, 2001

MIAMI (AP) – James Jones scored 16 points, including the last four of a 20-6run to close out the first half, and Miami beat Virginia Tech 86-61 Tuesdaynight, the Hurricanes’ most lopsided win of the season.

Miami (12-9, 4-6) took a two-game lead over the seventh-place Hokies (8-13,2-8), who have lost six of seven, in the Big East’s East Division. The firstsix teams earn berths in the season-ending conference tournament.

Freshman Darius Rice had 16 points and Dwayne Wimbley added a career-high 13for Miami, which had five players score in double figures.

Carlos Dixon scored 21 points and Bryant Matthews had 12 points and eightrebounds for Virginia Tech, which fell to 0-6 in conference road games. TheHokies shot 33 percent, compared to Miami’s 48 percent and the Hurricanes had aseason-low nine turnovers.

Brian Chase, Virginia Tech’s leading scorer at 13.9 points, was heldscoreless.

Micheal Simmons had a 3-pointer and two assists in a 10-0 run that gaveMiami a 27-20 lead. Matthews scored the next five points of a 6-0 rally thatbrought the Hokies within one.

The Hurricanes answered with another 10-0 burst to close the half with a37-26 lead. Jones hit two free throws and then slammed home a tap-in dunk tocap the run.

Miami is 11-1 when leading at halftime, while Virginia Tech is 1-10 whentrailing at halftime.

Rodrigue Djahue scored six of his 11 points to spark a 14-3 run and aseason-best 29-point lead, 70-41. John Salmons scored 11 points with eightrebounds.

Virginia Tech won the earlier meeting this season, 85-74 on Jan. 20.