For the first time in six years, the Virginia Tech Hokies secured the Commonwealth Clash sweep with a 71-42 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in John Paul Jones Arena.
The third quarter has not been too kind to Kenny Brooks and company in recent performances which included a five point third quarter against then No. 4 ranked N.C. State on Jan. 23.
But fortunately for the Hokies, the backcourt duo of Georgia Amoore and Aisha Sheppard carried the scoring in the third frame to help the Hokies secure their largest winning margin in conference play.
The guards recorded 20 of the Hokies’ 24 third quarter points and contributed for a combined seven of 11 from the floor and a near perfect six of seven from behind the arc in the ten minute span.
Their efforts were much needed from the Hokies who were coming off an evenly matched first quarter and a rough second quarter as they shot 27.8 percent from the floor and one of 10 from behind the arc.
Even though the offense took a little time to find their flow, the defense once again played to an exceptional level.
The old saying of “defense turning into offense” was played to the standard from the Hokies, who recorded 23 points off turnovers. And although they aren’t well known for stealing the basketball, six of the 19 Cavalier turnovers came from the Hokies snatching the ball away.
With the game becoming a one-sided contest by the end of the second quarter, the real scare occurred when Elizabeth Kitley exited the game for the Hokies.
A little while back, the junior center was kneed in the groin area and it caused some discomfort; she was hit around the same area tonight and felt similar discomfort, per Chris Hirons of Tech Sideline.
She’ll have some time to fully heal as the Hokies have the weekend off before heading to South Bend, IN where they take on No. 20 Notre Dame on Feb. 3 on the ACC Network.
With their victory in Charlottesville, it gives the Hokies their second victory in nine days over the Cavaliers and completes a grueling stretch of four games in nine days.
This won’t be the last time that the Hokies will have to endeavor a congested slate of games as they will play five games in ten days starting against the Fighting Irish, but the good news for the Hokies is that four of those games will be played at Cassell Coliseum.
