Collegiate Times

Britney Anderson came one point short of her jersey number with a career-high 24 points in Virginia Tech's 81-73 loss to Auburn in the third round of the Women's NIT.

The loss marks Anderson's final game wearing a Hokie uniform. Anderson, along with teammates Kirby Copeland and Nare Diawara have all completed their senior season.

Anderson will miss playing at Cassell, except for one minute detail.

"When the students go home for spring break and Christmas, and we're here, the hot water shuts off," Anderson said, laughing. "So when you take a shower, it's cold water. I will not miss that."

The final shower is over. The final horn has blown, but the Hokies went down swinging to an underrated Auburn squad.

"That was a great contest against two good teams," said Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger. "It was a well-fought battle. I said going into this tournament that Auburn was number 65. They're a very talented team."

The main talent came from Auburn sophomore DeWanna Bonner. She was as thin as a bean pole, but her fat 27 points spoke loudly. The All-SEC guard led all scorers as she carried the Tigers on her back.

Bonner was on fire. She played like an all-conference player. Every time Bonner made a shot, the Hokies tried to answer. Tech did everything to stop her by trying to strip the ball and draw charges. Her game was just too much.

Nevertheless, the same was happening with Anderson's performance for the Hokies. Traded basket after traded basket became the norm at points during the game. Anderson ran out of gas mid-way through the second half, when Auburn started a run. All three seniors, Anderson, Copeland and Diawara sat on the bench in anticipation to bring the Hokies back on top.

With nine minutes left in the game, the anticipation was too much, and all three seniors jumped back in. Copeland and Anderson gave Tech the spark they needed, taking the lead. However, lost possessions and turnovers killed the Hokies down the stretch.

"Turnovers have been our nemesis all year long," Dunkenberger said. "That's certainly something that we're going to work on in the off-season and try to improve upon next year. We did have some turnovers that led to some buckets on the other end. I thought that was the changing point in the game."

Auburn took care of business from the free throw line. The Hokies lost Diawara to foul trouble with three minutes left in the game. Anderson and Copeland fought right down to the final whistle.

Anderson walked around the court in the last few minutes with her head held up high. At one point near the end, she was knocked down trying to take a charge. She paused for a moment, looking at the basket and the thin crowd in the stands.

After the handful of fouls, timeouts and free throws packed the final minutes, the Hokie seniors walked off the court with more of a sense of relief than sadness.

"I don't think it's hit me yet," Anderson said. "It's just about sticking together and depending on each other. I told my teammates to just have fun, because it's gone before you know it. Even though my four years seemed like they lasted forever. Maybe it will hit me when I get home."

The season has come to a close. Their names will fade and the Hokies will move on for another year. Each senior had a chance to stand up in the locker room for their final goodbyes to the game they have devoted themselves to since they were in elementary school.

Even though the Hokies did not make the NCAA tournament, they have kept the streak of postseason appearances. The senior class kept the season alive every season they played at Tech.

The three seniors left their mark on Cassell. Maybe they'll be reminded of the hollowed place when the hot water goes out.