Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech closed out the 2025 calendar year with a dominant 79-47 victory over Radford in Sunday’s matinee.
The Hokies went a perfect 9-0 inside Cassell Coliseum against non-conference foes, improving to 11-3 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech and Radford traded early baskets as the Hokies were working to establish a rhythm on the offensive end. Mel Daley opened Tech’s scoring account after they won the tip just eight seconds earlier while the Highlanders answered with timely three-pointers to keep the game tight. With the score knotted heading into the media break, Carys Baker (3:49) had the last score for either team as she hooked in a shot in the paint to put the Hokies ahead, 11-9.
Play remained competitive in the second period as scores continued to be matched by both sides. Radford pulled ahead briefly, 20-17, nearing the middle part of the quarter. Virginia Tech swung the momentum back in their favor, capitalizing on second-chance baskets. Aniya Trent scored four points and contributed a block in a run that forced the Highlanders to regroup with 87 seconds left in the first half. The Hokies were able to push the margin back to seven on two occasions to carry a 31-24 lead into halftime.
Tech came out of the halftime break with increased defensive pressure, grabbing 11 defensive rebounds and forcing five turnovers, while holding Radford to four field goals (4-16, 0.250). The Hokies’ offense went on an early 6-0 run with help from Carleigh Wenzel’s (8:22) made shot from the line, Baker’s (7:53) corner triple, and Daley’s (6:52) driving layup on a fastbreak. Late free throws from Virginia Tech gave them a 51-34 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
The Hokies had their most efficient quarter in the final frame to put the game away. Tech converted 62.5 percent (10-16) from the field in the final ten minutes of action and hit 66.7 percent from long-range. Remaining steady on offense, Virginia Tech’s bench came in late to spark an 11-0 run, pushing the lead to as many as 32 points to secure the 79-47 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Virginia Tech won their 13th straight game against Radford, improving to 32-9 in the all-time series
- The Hokies have held the Highlanders to under 50 points in the last six contests
- Tech is now one win away from reaching 500 victories inside Cassell Coliseum
- It was the Hokies’ seventh win decided by 20-or-more points and tenth by double figures
- Virginia Tech blocked nine shots in the contest, their season-best
- Tech recorded their ninth game of the season where they forced 20-or-more turnovers
- The Hokies, who had 44 paint points against Radford, have scored 30-plus points in the paint in four consecutive games
- Forward Carys Baker led all players with 23 points, a season-high, for her third straight 20-point performance
- Baker knocked down four of the Hokies' five three-pointers, her season best in makes
- Guard Mel Daley rounded out the double figure scoring with 15 points while shooting 50 percent from the field
- Forward Kilah Freelon contributed 17 rebounds, one shy of her career-high, and nine points
- Leila Wells notched a game-high two steals while Mackenzie Nelson tallied seven assists
- Freshman Aniya Trent registered six points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 11 minutes
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech kicks off 2026 with a New Years Day meeting with Miami (Thursday, Jan. 1) inside Cassell Coliseum. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. on ACCNX.