Nov. 29, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Christina Wirth scored a game-high 22 points to help No. 17 Vanderbilt defeat Virginia Tech 72-43 in the VU Thanksgiving Tournament championship game at Memorial Gym on Saturday night.
Merideth Marsh added 12 points for the Commodores (6-1), who used a 30-11 run to take a 38-19 first-half lead. Vanderbilt pushed it to 60-25 after a 22-6 run to start the second half.
Melanie Balcomb’s squad started slow, trailing 5-2 early. VU took a 10-8 advantage with about 14 minutes left in the first half, and proceeded to hold VT to just two points for the next six minutes.
Vanderbilt benefited from 20 turnovers and limited the Hokies to 30.6 percent shooting from the field, and has now won 18 straight home holiday tournaments.
Lindsay Biggs, Utahya Drye and Brittany Lewis led the Hokies (5-1) with eight points apiece. Drye had a game-high seven rebounds.
Marsh and Hannah Tuomi were recognized for their outstanding performances against Davidson on Friday, VU’s other opponent in the tournament, and Virginia Tech, being named to the All-Tournament Team. Wirth garnered praise as well, accepting the Tournament MVP award.
Mariame Djouara, St. Joseph’s, Utahya Drye, Virginia Tech, and Mercedes Robinson, Davidson joined Marsh and Tuomi on the Tournament Team.
Vanderbilt returns to the hardwood against Radford in Memorial at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.
