No. 21 Miami Edges Out Virginia Tech, 77-68
Jan 12, 2002
By CHRIS KAHN
Associated Press Writer
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Elton Tyler scored 20 points and No. 21 Miami snappeda two-game losing streak with a 77-68 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.
The Hurricanes (15-2, 2-2 Big East), who were playing their fourth road gamein 10 days, also got 18 points from Marcus Barnes and 16 from Darius Rice.
Miami finished the conference-opening road trip 2-2 with a victory atGeorgetown before losses at Connecticut and St. John’s.
Rice hit two 3-pointers in the final three minutes to help send the Hokiesto their 13th consecutive conference loss.
The Hokies (6-10, 0-4) used an 11-7 run to get within one point with 3:50left. But Miami went 6-for-6 from the line over the final 36 seconds and heldthe Hokies to one field goal over the final two minutes.
Terry Taylor led the Hokies with 17 points, but was ineffective in thesecond half, being held to just two field goals.
Miami had trouble with the Hokies’ zone defense in the first half, shootingmostly from the perimeter and getting outrebounded 19-14. Taylor’s layup gavethe Hokies a 23-15 lead after 10:42, but the Hurricanes clamped down ondefense, double-teaming Taylor and allowing only one field goal over the final9:18.
Rice hit consecutive 3-pointers as the Hurricanes went on a 14-3 run overthe final 5:45 to take a 34-29 halftime lead.
The Hokies haven’t won a Big East game since beating St. John’s 69-65 onJan. 27, 2001.
