Nov. 28, 2003
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – Despite a team-high 19 points by senior Fallon Stokes, the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team dropped a 75-61 decision to West Virginia (3-1) on Friday afternoon. It was the first loss for the Jackets this season, as they fall to 2-1.
Stokes also led the team with eight rebounds, and was followed in scoring by sophomore Mallorie Winn, who had 12. Tech outrebounded the Mountaineers, 37-32, but turned the ball over six more times than West Virginia. The Jackets shot just 64 percent from the free throw line, while the Mountaineers converted on 16-of-18 from the charity stripe.
The Jackets led with 15:51 remaining in the first half of the contest, but never held the lead again as the Mountaineers offense was too potent from outside the arc. West Virginia converted on 13-of-29 field goals in the frame, including hitting 4-of-8 from three-point range. Leading the way for the Mountaineers in the half were Michelle Carter and Kate Bulger, both with nine points. Alex Stewart led Tech in the frame, as she had three field goals, including a three, for a total of seven points, while April Johnson added six. West Virginia took a 35-28 lead into the lockerroom, following a fast break layup by Carter with two seconds remaining in the half.
In the second half, the Yellow Jackets struggled to find an offensive rhythm, as the Mountaineers outscored the Jackets 26-19 to open the frame, capped by a fast break layup by Ramika McGee. Stokes shouldered the Tech offense in the half, as she scored 15 points, including going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. Mallorie Winn was the only other Jacket with more than one field goal in the frame, as she had three field goals and a free throw for a total of seven points. Bulger led the Mountaineers in the half, as she scored 12 points, including two threes. West Virginia made 8-for-8 in the final 4:03 to ice the game, including three apiece from Carter and Yolanda Page.
Bulger led the Mountaineers with 21 points as she was one of four West Virginia players in double figures. Carter added 16, while Paige and Sherell Sowho scored 13 apiece.
The Jackets will close tournament on Saturday afternoon, when they face Southwest Missouri State in a game that will tip-off at 4:30 p.m. ET.
