Tech edged by BYU, 64-60, in Paradise Jam openerTech edged by BYU, 64-60, in Paradise Jam opener
Women's Basketball

Tech edged by BYU, 64-60, in Paradise Jam opener

Kilah Freelon pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds to go with her career-high five blocks

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Box Score

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, US Virgin Islands – Virginia Tech dropped a tightly contested matchup to BYU, 64–60, at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center Thursday evening.

There were 12 lead changes and nine ties as both teams traded momentum for all four quarters.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams opened strong on defense, keeping it low scoring which left it even through the first six minutes. Virginia Tech was able to move in front as Carleigh Wenzel (3:32) fought through a double team on her way up to the hoop. The Hokies were able to hold BYU off the scoreboard for over a 3:38 span, breaking their drought on a free throw make, but Tech continued to build up a three-point advantage, 10-7 at 2:13, on Carys Baker’s flick in the paint. Virginia Tech held the lead until the final second of the quarter when the Cougars lay-up dropped in to move in front, 13-12.

Tech’s defense clamped up in the second period, holding BYU to only 10 points on 31 percent shooting from the field (4-13, 0.308). Mel Daley delivered several timely jumpers during the run including her lay-in that fell through at the 1:57 mark for her 1,000th career point. The Hokies forced seven BYU turnovers in the second quarter to head into halftime with a 27-23 advantage.

Virginia Tech took their largest lead of the night of six point three times during the third frame, the last at 6:01 when Baker knocked down a second chance mid-range shot. BYU responded immediately, draining consecutive three-pointers to knot the game back up 33-all with 5:22 to go. Despite a crucial triple from Wenzel (2:53), the Cougars strung together eight unanswered points to reclaim the lead, 43-38.

The Hokies were determined in the fourth quarter, producing a 47 percent shooting clip (8-17, 0.471), their highest of the game. Wenzel added two more three-pointers on the evening to keep Tech within striking distance, 47-44 at 7:32. The Cougars crept out to an eight-point lead with 5:37 remaining. Virginia Tech was able to close to a three-point deficit after Mackenzie Nelson drew the foul on a made basket with four seconds left in the game, but it wasn’t enough as they fell, 64-60.

GAME NOTES

  • Virginia Tech forced 20 turnovers for the fifth straight contest
  • The Hokies and Cougars were aggressive on the boards as they both recorded 39 rebounds
  • Forward Kilah Freelon registered a game-high 14 rebounds and a career-best five blocks
  • This was Freelon’s third double-figure rebound game of the season
  • Guard Carleigh Wenzel posted a team-best 18 points with a season-high four triples
  • Mel Daley totaled season-bests in points (16), steals (4), and field goals made and attempted (8-16)
  • Guard Mackenzie Nelson totaled nine points, six rebounds, and five assists

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech takes on Oregon State on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET to close out the Paradise Jam.