It reasonable to need more than just one player at her best to win games in the ACC, but no one said you couldn't have one player dominate by herself to give you the early lead before the rest of your team helped blow the game wide open. Well that's exactly what happened as Liz Kitley scored 17 of Virginia Tech's first 18 points before Tech used a 15-0 run in the second quarter to ignite a dominant rout.
#11 Virginia Tech beat Miami 76-49 to improve to 14-2 on the season including 4-0 in ACC play while the Hurricanes fall to 11-4 overall including 1-3 in the ACC.
Tech largely struggled for the opening 13 minutes outside of Liz Kitley who was dominant with 17 of the first 18 Tech points. Despite that, the Hokies were locked in a battle with Miami tied at 20 at one point in the second quarter before the Hokies found their rhythm, led by Kitley, to launch a 15-0 run dominating both ends of the floor.
That second quarter proved massive in the grand scheme of things with the Hokies outscoring the Canes 26-10 while shooting 11-17 from the field including 3-5 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Tech's defense was on point, especially during the 15-0 run, as the Canes were 5-12 from the field including 0-5 from three-point range.
Part of the story is the foul disparity that was completely legitimate as the Hokies kept their composure and had only nine fouls while the Hurricanes played a little out of control with 22 fouls. That led to a significant free-throw shooting disparity with the Hokies going 19-23 from the free-throw line while the Hurricanes were 5-8.
Tech's defense was a strength as Miami had 17 turnovers, which the Hokies turned into 18 points, while they held the Hurricanes to 22-61 (36.1%) from the field including 3-18 (16.7%) from three-point range.
This was a game defined by Elizabeth Kitley who had 31 points on 11-19 from the field and 8-10 from the free-throw line plus 11 rebounds for her sixth career game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Her fast start was absolutely critical for keeping the Hokies right in it till the rest of the team saw their shots start falling with regularity during that 15-0 run.
One of the main reasons for that 15-0 run was Matilda Ekh who had a pair of threes during that stretch on her way to having 12 points on 4-7 shooting from three-point range plus one rebound and one assist. Meanwhile, Georgia Amoore didn't have her most efficient night, but she kept plugging away and did what the Hokies needed her to do with 16 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals; though she'll definitely look to clean up some mistakes after having seven turnovers this evening.
Carleigh Wenzel may have only had two points, but she continues to play strong defense for the Hokies and show great maturity to not let her shooting struggles keep her down. Because of that, Kenny Brooks continues to show more trust in Wenzel to play big minutes as she played over 30 minutes tonight while adding four assists, three rebounds, and two steals with a +21 plus/minus.
Clara Strack played some big minutes off the bench on her way to having two points and five rebounds while Olivia Summiel had a solid night with five points and three rebounds. Cayla King dealt with foul trouble in the first half, but still left a notable impact on this game with three points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and no turnovers in 27 minutes.
Carys Baker had a quieter game with two rebounds while Rose Micheaux added three points, four rebounds, and one assist; and Samyha Suffren had an assist in five minutes of action.
The Canes were led by Duke transfer Shayeann Day-Wilson who had 19 points while Ja'Leah Williams added 10 points and eight rebounds; and Lashae Dwyer had eight points, six rebounds, and five steals.
This Virginia Tech Women's Basketball golden era continues to achieve more firsts as the Hokies are now 4-0 in ACC play for the first time, making it clear that they are the team to beat in the league. A tough road test looms Sunday at No. 21 Florida State but if the Hokies can keep playing at this level, they should keep this winning streak going for awhile.
