James and McCormick Lead UM Past Virginia Tech
Feb. 6, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Junior Tamara James turned in 35 points and senior Yalonda McCormick added 13 points with 11 assists as the University of Miami women’s basketball team downed fellow ACC-newcomers, Virginia Tech, 78-67, Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
James’ hit 13-of-29 from the field and went a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line en route her fourth 30-point game of the season while McCormick, who hauled in seven boards, fell just three rebounds shy of a triple-double.
The Hokies (14-7, 3-5 ACC) held the led over the Hurricanes for the majority of first half until James recorded one of her six steals on the afternoon and put the Hurricanes up by one at 26-25 seconds later with just under seven minutes remaining in the half.
The two schools traded the lead seven times over the next six minutes before James once again put Miami up by one with 21 seconds left in the half as the Hurricanes headed into the break with a 37-36 lead.
Virginia Tech opened the second half with a 6-1 run to take the lead, which they would maintain until the 10:51 when a James lay-up gave UM the 53-52 go-ahead basket.
James’ basket would be part of a 9-0 Hurricane run to that would distance the UM lead to six at 58-52 with under eight minutes remaining, but Virginia Tech battled back and cut the Miami lead to one on a jumper by Erin Gibson, who would finish with seven points and four blocks.
UM answered with five consecutive points and went on to lead by as much as 13 down the stretch before closing the game with a 78-67 victory.
Led by James’ six steals, the Hurricanes forced 26 Virginia Tech turnovers and converted for 28 points.
Junior Tatjana Marincic added 10 points off the bench and senior Fallon Phanord grabbed six rebounds in the UM win.
Virginia Tech’s Kerri Gardin led the Hokies with 13 points and 10 rebounds followed by Carrie Mason and Britney Anderson, who each had 11 points.
UM returns to action Thursday, February 10, traveling to Charlottesville, Va. to take on Virginia at 7 p.m.
