The Hokies routed Coppin State 85-32 Wednesday night at Cassell Coliseum behind four athletes in double figures on a historic night. Guard Aisha Sheppard scored 17 points to lead the group and, in the process, topped 1,500 points and took possession of sixth place in scoring in program history.
The win also featured the Hokies' most points scored this season, the largest margin of victory since 2019 and the 32 points allowed matches Coach Brooks' fewest in his tenure in Blacksburg. In addition, it was the program's 63rd consecutive win at home against non-conference opposition, extending the school record. Brooks is 46-0 in those situations.
Wednesday's contest featured nine Hokies who registered a point. In addition to Sheppard, starters Elizabeth Kitley (13) and Georgia Amoore (11) scored in double figures as did Kayana Traylor who added 15 off the bench on 6-for-7 shooting. Emily Lytle and Cayla King each scored nine, D'asia Gregg scored five, Azana Baines four and Taylor Geiman scored a field goal in the waning moments of the contest.
Tech continues to share the basketball well this season, registering 18 assists on 32 field goals against the Eagles. Amoore, once again led the way, this time with eight helpers taking her season tally to 29, good for first nationally. She has six or more in all four games this season, which included a career-high nine at George Mason last week. As a team, the Hokies have assisted on 78 of their 125 field goals this season, a rate of 63%.
The bench continues to contribute to the squad's success. Wednesday, Tech's bench scored a season best 26 points, led by Traylor who was in double figures for the third time in four games. The reserves have averaged 19.75 points per game this season.
Virginia Tech is once again one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation, in fact the Hokies lead the nation with 50 triples to this point in the 2021-22 season. Sheppard (17) is the overall leader and Cayla King (14) and Traylor (10) have also hit double digit threes. Tech shoots 43% from beyond the arc.
The contest against Coppin State featured a season-high 55 rebounds. Kitley's 13 led the squad again, as she corralled a second consecutive double-double her 21st.
Lytle got the start for the second straight game, scoring nine points and adding three rebounds and two assists. In her first two games in a Virginia Tech uniform coming off the bench averaging 5.0 points. In the last two, she has gone for an average of 11.0 after dropping 13 against George Mason last week.
Kitley registered four more blocks against Coppin State, taking her season tally to 16, a national best. The 6-foot-6 center has had two or more in each contest this season, beginning the year with six rejections against Davidson.
The Hokies are back on Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum on Saturday, November 20 at 5 p.m. That game will be shown on ACC Network Extra.
