Hokie ClubGREENSBORO, N.C. – D'asia Gregg, Elizabeth Kitley and Taylor Soule all grabbed double-digit rebounds to help lead the Virginia Tech women's basketball team past the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes 68-42 at Greensboro Coliseum Friday, marking Tech's largest win in the ACC Tournament (26-point differential).
Kitley notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Hokies (25-4). Soule added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Gregg helped out with nine points and 13 rebounds from the bench.
Virginia Tech did an excellent job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 13 assists while only turning the ball over six times. Soule's five assists led the distribution list for the Hokies. Kayana Traylor also added with three assists of her own.
The Virginia Tech defense held Miami (19-12) shooters to only 24.1 percent from the field, including 25 percent from 3-point range.
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How It Happened
After jumping out to a 10-5 advantage, Virginia Tech went on a 10-0 run with 2:07 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Georgia Amoore, to increase its lead to 20-5, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Virginia Tech relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 20 points.
Virginia Tech kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 4:58 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Kitley, to increase its lead to 29-11. The Hurricanes cut into that lead, but the Hokies still enjoyed a 29-15 advantage heading into halftime. Virginia Tech dominated in the paint, scoring six of its nine points close to the basket.
Virginia Tech wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Kitley, to expand its lead further to 39-15 with 5:22 to go in the third. The Hokies held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 51-27 edge. Virginia Tech played well near the basket, scoring 16 of its 22 points in the paint.
Virginia Tech kept widening that lead, expanding it to 55-30 before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 62-30 with 6:43 to go in the contest. The Hurricanes narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hokies still cruised the rest of the way for the 68-42 win. Virginia Tech pulled down one offensive rebound to score five second chance points out of 17 total in the period.
Game Notes
» The Hokies now sit at 25 wins, marking their second-highest win total in a season. The high is 28 wins during the 1998-99 season.
» Tech allowed 42 points, which was the fewest it has ever allowed in an ACC Tournament game.
» Virginia Tech got double-doubles from both Elizabeth Kitley and Taylor Soule.
» The Hokies held the Hurricanes to only 24.1 percent shooting from the field, marking the lowest percentage forced by the Hokies in an ACC Tournament game.
» The Hokies never trailed after taking a 20-5 first quarter lead.
» Elizabeth Kitley, Georgia Amoore, and Taylor Soule combined to account for 75 percent of the Hokies points.
» Virginia Tech had a 50-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» Virginia Tech turned the ball over six times (an ACC Tournament low for Tech) while dishing out 13 assists.
» Virginia Tech cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting an 19 offensive boards in the game, which is the most in an ACC Tournament game by Tech.
» Elizabeth Kitley led the Hokies with a game-high 22 points.
» Three players reached double figures in rebounds for Virginia Tech. Gregg nabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, Elizabeth Kitley contributed 10, and Taylor Soule tacked on 10.
Up Next
» Tech will face No. 13 Duke (25-5) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network in the semifinals of the Ally ACC Tournament.
» The Hokies have won five of their last seven against the Blue Devils, but are 0-4 all-time versus the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament.
» It marks Tech's second straight ACC Tournament semifinal. It faced NC State a year ago.
Gallery: (3-4-2023) WBB: ACC Quarterfinal vs. Miami