BLACKSBURG – The 3-point shot wasn't on for Virginia Tech Thursday night, but a terrific performance from grad transfer Taja Cole led the Hokies to their second consecutive ACC victory as they defeated Pitt 68-56 at Cassell Coliseum.
Tech improved to 12-3 (2-2) and Pitt dropped to 3-12 (0-4) on the season.
After Pitt scored the game's first points, the Hokies went on an 8-0 run to seize control and never looked back. Cole was the spark initially in the first quarter and she continued that momentum all game long, scoring nine points in the opening frame and finishing with a Virginia Tech career-best and game-high 21.
The Hokies used a 9-0 spurt in the second quarter to take an 18-point lead, their largest before it was trimmed to 13 heading into the break.
Seven different Hokies scored points in the first half.
But Pitt would not go away, beginning the second half with 7-0 run to cut the lead into single digits and hanging around with timely shots made from the perimeter from Gabbie Green who made three triples and Aysia Bugg who added 10 points.
Tech was able to close it out down the stretch with 3-pointers from Aisha Sheppard in the fourth quarter as she continues to find the bottom of the net from distance. She finished the game with 16 points.
Lydia Rivers secured a game-high 13 rebounds and added eight points. Cole added six assists and six rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Tech took 37 3-pointers in the game, setting a new record for a single game at Cassell Coliseum.
- The Hokies earned more free throws than the Panthers and were 11-12 from the line.
- Pitt had the edge on the glass 42-35.
- Tech forced 17 turnovers and committed just nine, six below the team's season average.
GAME NOTES
- Aisha Sheppard scored in double figures for the 13th time in 14 games this season. She continues to lead the team at 17.2 points per game. With her five made 3's vs. Pitt, she's now hit 17 in the last three games, the most in program history in any three-game stretch.
- Lydia Rivers registered double figure rebounds for the fourth time this season with her 13. She leads the Hokies in boards at 8.5 per contest.
- Tech used the same starting lineup for the eighth straight game – Cole, Mabrey, Sheppard, Rivers and Kitley.
NEXT TIME ON THE HARDWOOD
•The Hokies will travel to Duke University on Sunday, January 12 to take on the Blue Devils at 3 p.m. on Regional Sports Networks.
•Tech is 3-29 all-time against Duke and 2-13 on the road at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
•Last season the Hokies earned the program's first road victory at Duke since 1985 and the first win the series in 25 tries with a 64-57 triumph. Regan Magarity registered a double-double with 22 points and 18 rebounds in the game and Taylor Emery added 13 points for Tech.
Gallery: (1/9/2020) 2020 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs. PITT