BLACKSBURG – Four players registered double figures and Tech's defense ramped up in the second half as the Hokies defeated Gardner-Webb 87-65 at Cassell Coliseum Sunday afternoon. The win, Tech's eighth of the season, signaled the final home game of 2019, where the Hokies have now defeated 58 consecutive non-conference opponents.
The Runnin' Bulldogs fell to 3-3 on the season.
It wasn't always a blowout on Carilion Clinic Court as Gardner-Webb started the game making shots, to which the Hokies had to respond and did so, leading by three after the first quarter. Carley Plentovich, and her sister Savannah kept the Bulldogs within arm's reach as the pair combined for 34 points in the game.
Tech held a four-point lead at halftime a product of their high shooting percentage (48%) but they also turned the ball over 13 times, allowing Gardner-Webb to hang around.
The Hokies were back to their best after the break, scoring 13 of the first 15 points in the third quarter and would not look back, leading by as many as 24 in the game.
Tech saw four players (Dara Mabrey 22, Elizabeth Kitley 18, Trinity Baptiste 17 and Aisha Sheppard 14) score in double figures.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Hokies dominated on the glass, holding a 55-35 advantage.
- Tech finished with 21 turnovers in the game and also forced the Bulldogs into 21.
- The Hokies hit 10 3-pointers in the game to Gardner-Webb's seven.
GAME NOTES
- Tech used the same starting lineup as they did in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge game vs. Purdue with Lydia Rivers starting at forward.
- Aisha Sheppard continued her streak of nine straight games with 10+ points
- Tech had two players record double-doubles, Trinity Baptiste (17 points, 17 rebounds) and Elizabeth Kitley (18 points, 11 rebounds). It is the duo's first time accomplishing that feat and for Kitley, a freshman, it was her first career double-double.
NEXT TIME ON THE HARDWOOD
•The Hokies will have 12 days between contests as the student-athletes complete fall exams. The next time on the court will be December 20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Coqui Classic.
•Tech will face Rice and Wichita State in that competition.
NEXT TIME ON CARILION CLINIC COURT
•Tech will return to Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, January 5 to take on North Carolina on ACC Network Extra. Tipoff for that contest is set for 2 p.m.
•The Hokies are 6-19 all-time against the Tar Heels and fell 81-69 at home in last season's only meeting. This season, the programs will play a home-and-home as they are grouped together in the new ACC 'pod' format with 18 league games.
Gallery: (12/8/2019) 2019 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs. GARDNER-WEBB