Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 28 April 13, 1995 - Hoop teams celebrate successful seasons

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Hoop teams celebrate successful seasons

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 28 - April 13, 1995

The 1994-95 basketball season ended on high notes for both the men's and women's teams, with the men going all the way to the top. Before a crowd of 8,549, the men won the NIT championship for the first time in 22 years.

The women played in the NCAA tournament for the first time, and won their first game, against St. Joseph's. They then fell to Connecticut 91-46 in second round play, finishing the season at 22-9. Despite that loss, the first victory was sweet--Coach Carol Alfano called it "the culmination of four years of hard work."

The men set a school record for victories, finishing the season at 25-10. NIT meant a trip to New York's Madison Square Garden and national television appearances on ESPN.

The Hokies won the NIT final game in overtime when junior forward Shawn Smith shot two free throws with 0.7 seconds left on the clock, putting Tech ahead of Marquette 65-64. Smith, selected as the tournament's MVP, finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. He and junior point-guard Shawn Good were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Virginia Tech is now undefeated in NIT championship overtime games. The Hokies beat Notre Dame 92-91 in overtime for the 1973 title.