Hokies’ roll past Gardner-Webb, 87-51Hokies’ roll past Gardner-Webb, 87-51
Women's Basketball

Hokies’ roll past Gardner-Webb, 87-51

Kilah Freelon’s 18 rebounds tie the most recorded by a player in the ACC this season

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BLACKSBURG – Behind a dominant effort on the glass and a balanced offensive attack, Virginia Tech surged to an 87-51 victory over Gardner-Webb on Thursday night inside Cassell Coliseum.

Kilah Freelon powered the Hokies with a commanding double-double, posting 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Her effort anchored Tech’s frontcourt that dominated the boards, 54-27, and generated 35 second-chance points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia Tech’s scoring started with Kilah Freelon on the free throw line, followed up with a jumper from Mel Daley. Gardner-Webb jumped in front 8-7 with six minutes remaining in the quarter, before the Hokies took off on a 13-0 run highlighted by three straight layups off Runnin’ Bulldog turnovers, to move ahead 20-8.

Carleigh Wenzel energized the scoring effort in the second frame for Tech as she put eight of her 11 first half points. She did some work behind the paint, draining back-to-back three-pointers, the last at 3:18. Samyha Suffren got in on the action from long-range, hitting her first triple of the evening in the final 45 seconds of the first half to help carry the Hokies to a 40-23 advantage into the break.

Virginia Tech broke the game open in the third quarter, shooting 53 percent from the field and outscoring Gardner-Webb, 29-17. The Runnin’ Bulldogs registered the first points of the second frame before Carys Baker went on a 6-0 run of her own. Daley complimented the offensive performance as she exploded for ten points in the third frame. Mackenzie Nelson put the exclamation point on the period with seven seconds remaining as she buried a trey to give Tech the 69-40 edge headed into the final period.

The fourth quarter brought new scorers to the mix for the Hokies as Leila Wells, Sophie Swanson, Špela Brecelj, and Amani Jenkins accounted for nine of Tech’s 18 points in the quarter. Virginia Tech’s lead grew as high as 41 at 2:30 when Brecelj knocked down the three-pointer off the dish from Wells. Gardner-Webb responded with a triple with 14 seconds left in the contest as the Hokies’ finished on top, 87-51.

GAME NOTES

  • Virginia Tech out-rebounded Gardner-Webb, 54-27
  • This was the first time since Nov. 19, 2024, where the Hokies had more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds
  • Tech’s 30 offensive rebounds tonight are the second-most in program history, surpassing the 29 that were last posted on Feb. 29, 1988, at Kentucky
  • Kilah Freelon’s 18 rebounds are tied fourth in the NCAA for rebounds in a game entering tonight while matching the most put up by an ACC player so far this season
  • It was the second time this season where five Hokies ended in double-figures
  • Guard Samyha Suffren led Virginia Tech in scoring with 17 points, a career-high
  • Suffren also set a new personal-best of four steals
  • Graduate student Mel Daley put up her best total of 14 points in a Virginia Tech uniform
  • Carleigh Wenzel alongside Freelon added 12 points while Carys Baker rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10
  • Guard Mackenzie Nelson led all players with seven assists

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech has a short turnaround as they prepare to host Coastal Carolina this Saturday (Nov. 15) for a 2 p.m. start inside Cassell Coliseum.