Virginia Tech Women's Basketball Defeats Pittsburgh 89-66

January 12, 2018, 03:00 AM

Behind 22 points from junior guard Taylor Emery, the Virginia Tech Hokies cruised to a double-digit win over the Pittsburgh Panthers, 89-66, in Cassell Coliseum. Yacine Diop led all scorers in the game with 23 for the Panthers, while redshirt junior Regan Magarity poured in 21 points for Tech. Emery stole the show early, shooting 6-6 for 16 points in the first quarter and going into halftime with 18 points. The Hokies led 53-31 at halftime and did not take their foot off of the gas pedal, leading by as much as 28 in the second half. While Emery sparked the Hokies in the first half, Magarity was consistent throughout, shooting 9-12 overall and 3-4 from three-point range. Magarity also led Virginia Tech in rebounds with 8 as the Hokies won the rebounding battle 40-29. Magarity and Emery were just two of the bright spots for the team with 3 other players scoring in double figures. Chanette Hicks, Rachel Camp, and Alexis Jean each scored in double figures in this game. Hicks and Camp each had 12 points while Jean added 11. Hicks shot 3-6 from the field and was 6-6 from the free throw line while adding a team-high 9 assists and three steals. Camp had a very well-rounded game as she shot 3-9 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line, along with four rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Alexis Jean shot 4-9 from the field and was 2-2 from the stripe. She also contributed six rebounds which shows how key it is to have her on the boards. Kendyl Brooks, Aisha Sheppard, and Michelle Berry added the remaining 11 points of the game for Tech. Sheppard had 6 point thanks to two three-point baskets, while Brooks made a three as well. Overall, the Hokies shot 12-30 (40%) from three-point range and 47% from the field. Michelle Berry had two points on 1-5 shooting but she was second on the team in rebounds with six. The Hokies now stand at 13-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. With two tough losses coming against North Carolina State and Louisville, the third ranked team in the country, the Hokies have shown they can bounce back and get much-needed wins after rough games. VT has gained momentum in two ACC wins over Boston College and Pittsburgh, which they will need when they travel to play Florida State in Tallahassee on Sunday before hosting Duke at home next Thursday.