Nov. 15, 2002
ATLANTA – Led by 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds from junior forward Fallon Stokes, the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team captured a 67-57 victory over Charlotte in the first round of the Preseason WNIT on Friday night at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
The Yellow Jackets advance to face fifth-ranked Kansas State in the second round of the tournament on Sunday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan., at 3 p.m.
“We’re so happy to get a win against a very good Charlotte team tonight,” said Tech head coach Agnus Berenato. “Fallon played a great game and was huge for us. We’re very honored to be playing in the Preseason WNIT and just so excited to have a chance to go out and play Kansas State. Having a chance to play the fifth-ranked team in the country is a great challenge for our team and we can’t wait to get out there tomorrow.”
Tech overcame a sluggish first half to take a slim 27-26 lead into the lockerroom at the intermission. Stokes was strong from the start, netting 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the first period to lead all players in the contest. Charlotte took an early lead in the contest, as both teams looked to shake off the rust in the early going. Tech found its groove late in the half, taking its first lead of the game at 19-18 with 4:13 to play.
The Jackets were forced to play all but the first two minutes of the contest without senior point guard Nina Barlin, who re-injured her left knee early in the game. Barlin suffered a torn ligament in the same knee 17 games into the 2002 season and had recovered from a broken hand suffered on the second day of practice this year. She will undergo a MRI to determine the full extent of the injury. Barlin was replaced in the game for Tech by junior Alex Stewart, who was solid in relief, netting eight points, all of which were a product of a perfect 8-for-8 night at the free throw line.
Following the half, Georgia Tech seized the momentum in the contest, opening the second stanza with a 12-2 run to take a 39-28 lead with 15:03 remaining in the contest. Four points from both Stokes and senior center Sonja Mallory spurred the rally for the Jackets. Seven-straight points by Mallory 10 minutes later in the half, gave Tech its largest lead of the contest at 59-40 with 5:29 to play. The 49ers attempted a late rally, but were unable to get any closer than the final 10-point margin.
Stokes was the star for Tech, with her 20 points and 16 rebounds, she was joined in double figure scoring by Mallory, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds and freshman April Johnson, who impressed in her Yellow Jacket debut with 14 points and seven boards. Junior Megan Isom added eight points and 10 rebounds, as Tech had three players with double-digit rebounds for the second time in its last four games.
“I think this game shows how solid our team is as a whole,” said Tech head coach Agnus Berenato. “We overcame a lot tonight with losing Nina Barlin early in the game and I’m proud of how Alex Stewart stepped up tonight. We’ve really been preaching that everyone needs to be ready to play and contribute every night and I think that was very evident tonight.”
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