Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's basketball team extended their home winning streak to 16 Sunday afternoon after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 69-45 on Carilion Clinic Court. The win moves the Hokies to 16-5 (6-4) on the season ahead of a clash with a top-10 NC State program on Thursday night.
Tech's six league wins tie the program record since joining the ACC.
Sunday's win was the third consecutive at home by 20 or more points and was predicated on the defensive end of the floor, where Miami shot just 21%. The Hurricanes became the fifth straight opponent to shoot below 40% and the third to be below 30%.
Miami is 13-9 (5-6).
After a slow opening frame and a half, the Hokies got things going offensively during a 10-0 run to close the second quarter to take a 24-16 lead into the locker room. On the other side of the intermission, Aisha Sheppard and Lydia Rivers opened the quarter with quick buckets to extend the lead further.
The key run came in the latter part of the third as Sheppard closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating triple in front of the Hokies' bench, part of a 14-1 run.
Off the bench, Trinity Baptiste scored 17 points, a game-high and pulled down eight rebounds.
Taja Cole had nine assists in the game, her third consecutive contest with nine.
Miami was led by 13 points from Destiny Harden and 11 from Sydnee Roby off the bench.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Tech held Miami to just 23% shooting.
- Both clubs had 23 attempts from the foul line, but the Hokies took advantage with 19 conversions to the 'Canes' 11.
- Tech had a 22-18 edge in the painted area.
- The Hokies got out in transition with 17 points on the break. Miami had three.
- Both teams had 20-plus turnovers. The Hokies scored 23 points off of Miami's, while the 'Canes scored nine.
GAME NOTES
- The win was the Hokies' fifth at home in conference play. It marks the first time that Tech has started the ACC season 5-0 at Cassell Coliseum.
- Aisha Sheppard scored in double figures for the 19th time in 21 games this season with her 14 against Miami. She continues to lead the team at 16.1 points per game. Sheppard has hit a 3-pointer in 28 consecutive games, dating back to January 29, 2019, a school record.
- Dara Mabrey hit 3 or more 3's for the second straight game
- Tech used the same starting lineup for the 13th straight game – Cole, Mabrey, Sheppard, Rivers and Kitley.
- Chloe Brooks made her second appearance for the Hokies and first at home, making a 3-point field goal.
NEXT TIME ON CARILION CLINIC COURT
•The Hokies are back at Cassell Coliseum on Thursday February 6 to play host to the nationally-ranked NC State Wolfpack. Tipoff on ACC Network Extra is set for 7 p.m.
•NC State leads the all-time series winning 20 of the first 21 meetings.
•State took the first contest between the teams this season 76-69 in Raleigh in a game when Aisha Sheppard set a program record with eight 3's in an ACC game. She dropped a career-best 28 points.
Gallery: (2/2/2020) 2020 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs. MIAMI