Hokie ClubLYNCHBURG, VA. – The Virginia Tech women's basketball team battles Liberty Tuesday night from the Vines Center in Lynchburg. For Tech, it was the first road contest of the season after opening the 2018-19 campaign at home with consecutive victories.
"I'm very pleased with the win tonight," Head Coach Kenny Brooks commented. "Obviously, it's very early in the season and you're just trying to learn your team. Coming into this building, from my time at James Madison I know how tough it can be to play here, so very pleased with our kids' performance."
Liberty made it uncomfortable for the Hokies in the early goings, winning the tip and knocking down a 3-pointer, setting up their three-quarter court defensive press which would continue throughout most of the night.
(11/13/2018) 2018 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL at LIBERTY
For the first time this season, the Hokies trailed after the first quarter by a score of 13-11.
Tech came back onto the floor in the second and reeled off 14 straight points to take the lead in the game, which would not be relinquished. Regan Magarity, Rachel Camp, Dara Mabrey, Trinity Baptiste and Kendyl Brooks all contributed to the run, as the Hokies began to share the ball well. The Hokies assisted on 16 of their 24 field goals on the night.
"Their offensive rebounding was a concern of mine and I thought our kids handled it well," Brooks said. "We played extremely hard, we didn't always play smart but we're trying to learn this team and we've got some kids that I'm very pleased with."
Tech had a balanced attack, placing three players in double figures on the night, with Emery and Mabrey each scoring 13 points. Baptiste had 12 and finished with six rebounds, while Rachel Camp added 10 points.
Magarity narrowly missed out on another double-double, coming just one point shy, while she did grab a game high 15 rebounds for the Hokies.
"I know it shows up in our win column, but I think it's great for our confidence as we move forward," said Brooks.
Tech knocked down 10 3's, and shot at a clip of 46.2 percent from the field.
Next up: The Hokies are back at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum, on Friday, Nov. 16 to take on the visiting Monmouth Hawks.
Last season's 84-34 Tech victory was the first game in the series. Taylor Emery (25 points) and Aisha Sheppard (14 points) each hit four 3-pointers as the Hokies stormed past the Hawks in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Regan Magarity also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in that matchup.