BLACKSBURG –A 20-point lead in the fourth quarter was cut to 10 in the final moments, but the Virginia Tech women's basketball team earned another victory in the WNIT Sunday afternoon on Carilion Clinic Court to secure a spot in the competition's Sweet Sixteen. For the program, in its fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament, it will be the third year in a row that the Hokies have made the second week of games.
With the win, Tech also moves its season win total to 22.
Five Hokies in double figures we advance with a 82-72 victory over VCU Sunday afternoon 💪
— Virginia Tech Women's Basketball (@HokiesWBB) March 24, 2019
Stay tuned for details on our Sweet Sixteen opponent, location and game time pic.twitter.com/VD3eEyfn8B
Matched up with the third best defensive team in the nation, the VCU Rams, Tech did something that no opponent had done so far in 2018-19, eclipse 80 points. In fact, VCU which gives up 51.1. points per game had only surrendered 70 twice.
A big factor was the Hokies' ability to get to the free throw line. Tech earned 38 attempts at the charity stripe a new season best and was able to knock down 28 of them.
The Hokies shared the basketball well and found production from an unexpected source Sunday as five players scored in double figures. Rachel Camp recorded 11 points, a season high, which included a perfect 7 for 7 from the free throw line.
In the paint, Regan Magarity had her 22nd double-double with 10 points and 12 boards and Trinity Baptiste scored 14, pulling down 9 rebounds.
It was Taylor Emery who once again spearheaded the win, scoring a game high 21 including jumping out to a hot start with seven of the team's opening 10 points. For the season, the All-ACC guard now has 625, the second highest total in program history, only behind her own fantastic season in 2017-18.
Aisha Sheppard added 12 points, only taking four shots from the field.
For VCU, their season ends at 24-10. The Rams were led by 17 points from Tera Reed and 13 from. Taya Robinson.
Quoting Coach Brooks:
• A good win, it was extremely unorthodox for us. Give credit to VCU, they made us play a different style. Normally we're getting up and down free flowing and shooting some 3's. They are a very physical basketball team and they really tried to push us off the three-point line and make us do something different.
• All in all, it's a good win. Anytime you can win against an in-state opponent, it's a good win. Beth (O'Boyle) does a really good job with that team. We'll look back on it one day and understand that it's a good win but right now it's about surviving and advancing so I'm very proud of our kids.
Game Notes:
• Five Hokies scored in double figures for just the third time all season Sunday. The other two games, also wins, were the season opener against Georgia Southern and the non-conference regular season finale in December against Longwood.
• The Hokies enjoyed a healthy 40-25 advantage on the glass. Magarity secured 12 boards, as she collected another double-double.
• Tech was an efficient 8 of 15 from the 3-point arc.
What's next:
Tech will face the JMU Dukes out of the CAA on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
Gallery: (3/24/2019) 2019 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WNIT vs. VCU