BLACKSBURG, VA --Elizabeth Kitley secured a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to help the Virginia Tech women's basketball team defeat the Syracuse Orange 78-64 at home Thursday.
The Hokies (18-4, 8-4) had four players score in double figures, led by Kitley, who put together a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Cayla King added 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks and Georgia Amoore helped out with 15 points.
Virginia Tech pulled down 44 rebounds in Thursday's game compared to Syracuse's 34, led by D'asia Gregg's 12 boards.
The Virginia Tech defense held Syracuse shooters to only 36.8 percent from the field.
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How It Happened
Virginia Tech struggled out of the gate, falling behind 17-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Virginia Tech then cut the Orange lead to 22-21 before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from D'Asia Gregg, to take a 26-22 lead. The Orange then came roaring back to take a 36-35 lead heading into halftime.
Following halftime, Virginia Tech kept the Orange from growing their lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Amoore, to grab a 42-38 lead with 6:56 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Orange had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Hokies still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-50 edge. Virginia Tech turned three offensive rebounds into six second chance points on the way to scoring 17 total points in the quarter.
Virginia Tech started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 14-0 run, finished off by Taylor Soule's jumper, to grow the lead to 66-50 with 5:08 to go in the contest. The Orange narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hokies still cruised the rest of the way for the 78-64 win. Virginia Tech took advantage of six Syracuse turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Elizabeth Kitley notched an impressive double-double for the Hokies with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Hokies shot well from three point range, knocking down 10 of 23 long range attempts.
» The Hokies held the Orange to only 36.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Hokies shared the ball well, recording an assist on 79 percent of made field goals.
» Virginia Tech had a 44-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Virginia Tech defense forced 13 turnovers.
» The Hokies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Elizabeth Kitley led the Hokies with 20 points.
» D'asia Gregg nabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Virginia Tech and Elizabeth Kitley contributed 11.
Up Next at Home
The Hokies return to Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. ET versus Florida State. Tickets are available starting as low as $5.
Gallery: (2-2-2023) WBB: Syracuse Game