CHAPEL HILL, NC --Matilda Ekh put the Virginia Tech women's basketball team ahead for good with 4:51 to go in the extra period to give the Hokies a 70-61 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels on the road Sunday.
The Hokies (18-4, 9-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Georgia Amoore, who secured a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists. Elizabeth Kitley tacked on a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds and Ekh chipped in as well with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Virginia Tech took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Sunday's game, piling up 19 assists on 24 made field goals. Amoore's 11 assists paced the Hokies and Cayla King also added three assists of her own.
The Hokies did a great job disrupting North Carolina shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Clara Strack led the way individually for the Hokies with two rejections.
How It Happened
After falling behind 12-10, Virginia Tech went on a 5-0 run with 1:00 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Carleigh Wenzel, to take a 15-12 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Virginia Tech relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 15 points.
Virginia Tech kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 8:27 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Kitley, to increase its lead to 20-12. The Tar Heels cut into that lead, but the Hokies still enjoyed a 26-20 advantage heading into halftime. Virginia Tech forced four North Carolina turnovers in the period and turned them into four points.
North Carolina then took a 33-30 lead following intermission before Virginia Tech went on a 7-0 run to grab a 37-33 lead with 1:39 to go in the third. The Tar Heels then rallied to tie it at 39-39 heading into the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 13 total points.
Despite taking the lead one time in the fourth, Virginia Tech was unable to pull out the victory in regulation, as the two teams entered overtime tied at 54-54 apiece. Virginia Tech fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 15 points.
Virginia Tech grabbed a 58-57 lead with 1:46 left in the first overtime before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Ekh's three, to grow its advantage to 64-57 with 1:21 to go in the period. The Hokies kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 70-61 win.
Game Notes
» Virginia Tech got double-doubles from both Georgia Amoore and Elizabeth Kitley.
» Virginia Tech found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 12 treys in the game.
» The Hokies held the Tar Heels to only 31.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Hokies put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 79 percent of made baskets.
» Georgia Amoore totaled 11 assists for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech had a 52-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Hokies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Virginia Tech cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Georgia Amoore led the Hokies with 21 points.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high 15 rebounds from Elizabeth Kitley.
Click here to support Virginia Tech women's basketball all season by making a pledge per three.
Gallery: (2-4-2024) WBB: at North Carolina