Photo Credit: Liam Sment
Virginia Tech extended its winning streak to six games following the team’s second half comeback over in-conference rival Pittsburgh, 88-71. This was the first ACC opponent the Hokies have faced this season and it was undoubtedly the most competitive game the team has played so far.
Things didn’t look too hot for Virginia Tech throughout the first half. The Hokies allowed a whopping 32 points in the first quarter. The Hokies were behind by as many as eleven points in the first twenty minutes of play, but eventually went into the half trailing by eight.
Following the halftime break, Virginia Tech began to play like the team that fans had seen through the first five games.
The Hokies outscored the Panthers by eight in the third behind fourteen combined points from senior forward Asiah Jones and sophomore center Elizabeth Kitley in the quarter.
From that point on, it was all Virginia Tech. The Hokies shut down the Panthers offense, holding the team to only eight points in the final ten minutes of the game. On the other side of the ball, the Hokies got hot from range, scoring four three-pointers and leading to a twenty-five point outing in the fourth quarter.
Virginia Tech was led in this game by an outstanding performance from sophomore guard Cayla King, who racked up 29 points while shooting 7-12 from three. The Hokies also had three other players with impressive scoring outings, as senior guard Aisha Sheppard, sophomore center Elizabeth Kitley, and freshman guard Georgia Amoore all tallied double-digit points.
The Hokies were also aided by eight bench points provided by senior guard Da’Ja Green and sophomore guard Taylor Geiman.
The key to the game for the Hokies was rebounding and defense, since Pitt shot better all around. Virginia Tech outrebounded the Panthers 37-31 while forcing 16 turnovers and only giving up 12.
This win gives the Hokies a 1-0 record in ACC play, and gives the team a 6-0 record overall. The team looks to carry this momentum into its next game as Virginia Tech travels to South Bend for an ACC clash with Notre Dame Thursday at 6PM.
