The Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1) took down the Elon Phoenix (3-2) 87-69 on a Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg at the beginning of Tech’s Thanksgiving break and remain undefeated on their home court in Cassell Coliseum.
Megan Duffy’s squad was firing on all cylinders in their 18-point win over the Phoenix, led by Tech forward Rose Micheaux, who captured a triple-double – 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists – the first of her career.
Micheaux has been on a tear this season, recording double-doubles in her previous two outings against Coppin State and Rutgers, and grabbed a career-high in boards against the Scarlet Knights (17). The former Minnesota transfer now in her second year at Virginia Tech is fitting quite nicely into her new head coach's offense, which has been scrappy all season and has benefited from offensive rebounds and fast break points.
Her triple-double is just the second ever in Tech’s program history, joining former All-American PG Georgia Amoore.
Micheaux may have led the way but she wasn't the only Hokie stepping up in this game.
Hokies guard Matilda Ekh, who has struggled from long range this season, found her shot and knocked down four threes – her most on the season so far. She shot 50% from beyond the arc, which accounted for 12 of her 16 points. Her final triple of the game recorded history for Micheaux, as she gained her tenth assist on Ekh’s fourth long-range triple.
“It just shows what hard work and dedication can get you,” Micheaux said. “I wouldn’t have gotten a triple-double if it weren’t for my teammates, and them hitting shots. … I kicked it out and I knew Matilda [Ekh] was going to hit it.”
For Ekh, this performance was a culmination of continued encouragement to keep shooting.
“Both my teammates and my coaches have encouraged me to keep shooting. I have not been shooting great at the beginning of the season, but that’s how it is sometimes… all you can do is keep shooting it," Ekh said.
Ekh wasn't the only Hokie to shoot the ball well from the field, Redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Nelson, a defensive specialist, captured a career-high in points (12) while continuing her defensive pursuit, tying a game-high in steals (2). Nelson’s 12 points off the bench were a much-needed boost for the Hokies offense, who only led by six points after the first quarter.
“[We] just needed a bit of momentum,” Duffy said. “I thought Mackie [Nelson] did a great job with that.”
Tech flipped a switch in the second quarter and shot 82% from the field, outscoring Elon by five to give itself an 11-point lead entering the half. The Hokies' momentum carried over into the third quarter when they put up a game-high 27 points and outscored the Phoenix by seven to account for their 18-point lead, which they finished the game with.
The Hokies have an extended break before taking on Davidson on Friday, November 29, at 4:30pm, for the first day of the 2024 Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida.
