Flames stun Hokies, win tourney title

BLACKSBURG — Tournament MVP Megan Frazee drilled the game-winning shot from just inside the 3-point arc with 51 seconds remaining Tuesday in the Hokie Hardwood Classic championship, lifting Liberty to a hard-fought 45-43 win against host Virginia Tech and giving the Lady Flames the tournament title and their first-ever win over the Hokies.

Liberty, which has now won four of its last five games to improve to 5-7 on the year, utilized exceptional play from Frazee and fellow all-tournament team performer Avery Warley to overcome an eight-point second-half deficit. Frazee notched 12 of her game-high 20 points during the second half, while Warley grabbed 12 of her career-high 18 boards after the break.

Virginia Tech (7-5) saw a few streaks halted after scoring only six points over the final 13:26 of the contest. Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Hokies were 14-0 all-time against the Lady Flames and 5-0 in home contests this year. Additionally, Virginia Tech had won its home holiday tournament 10 straight years and had been victorious in 33 straight home games in the month of December.

The teams were deadlocked at 43-43 when Megan Frazee stepped to the foul line for a one-and-one with 1:04 remaining. The senior uncharacteristically missed the front end, but Warley snatched her 18th rebound and, 13 seconds later, Rachel McLeod found Frazee for the game-winning hoop.

Virginia Tech’s Laura Haskins had two chances to knot the contest in the final 38 seconds, but Liberty hung on for the win over the Hokies.

Neither team shot the ball well, as Liberty finished at 33.3 percent (19 of 57) from the field and Virginia Tech was 32.1 percent (18 of 56). Aided by Warley’s glass work, the Lady Flames outrebounded the Hokies 46-30.

Frazee pulled down seven rebounds to go along with her 20 points. Meanwhile, Warley came up with her first career double-double, ending up with 11 points, 18 boards and three blocked shots. The redshirt freshman finished the two-game tournament with 29 rebounds, falling just two shy of the tournament record.

Seniors Moriah Frazee and Rachel Hammond chipped in with five points each. Hammond became the 49th player in Liberty history to score 500 points, as the Florida native has totaled 504 career points.