Suffren leads charge in Hokies’ 68-58 win at CalSuffren leads charge in Hokies’ 68-58 win at Cal
Eakin Howard
Women's Basketball

Suffren leads charge in Hokies’ 68-58 win at Cal

The guard poured in a career-high 19 points while shooting 7-12 (0.583) from the field

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BERKELEY, Calif. – Virginia Tech earned its 20th victory of the season behind several key individual performances, downing Cal 68-58 inside Haas Pavilion Sunday afternoon.

The Hokies are the third ACC team this season to sweep the California trip, joining Duke and Louisville.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech started the scoring with an inbounds play that found the hands of Carys Baker (8:55) at the block. There were three lead changes until the Hokies were able to tie the game, as Baker drilled an elbow jumper at 4:11 and Kilah Freelon scored on a second chance opportunity to put Tech back in front, 8-6, with 3:34 remaining.  Samyha Suffren poured in the Hokies’ final four points of the quarter, her last basket a drive to the hoop with 42 seconds on the clock, as Tech trailed 13-12.

The Hokies kept themselves within striking distance as they answered every Cal score through the first two minutes of the second quarter. The Golden Bears built a five-point edge, 21-16, after a free throw line jump shot at the 7:01 mark. After two free throws fell through the net for Cal with 5:44 remaining, Virginia Tech reclaimed the lead after a 10-0 run fueled by Suffren’s eight straight points. The Hokies entered the locker room ahead, 33-29.

Tech extended its advantage to seven, 38-31, at the beginning of the second half after Baker (7:10) basket off the glass and a free throw from Leila Wells (6:51). Cal used four straight shots at the charity stripe and a three-point play to even it up, 38-all with 4:41 left in the frame. It was a battle throughout the remainder of the third quarter, and Freelon’s drive to the hoop would give the Hokies the slight 44-43 lead.

Out of the break, the Golden Bears were the first to score, moving the needle back in their favor, 45-44 (9:47). Their advantage was short-lived as Virginia Tech pulled back ahead off Carleigh Wenzel’s (9:25) triple and Suffren’s (8:16) run to the rim to go ahead, 49-45. Thirteen of Tech’s final 19 points were scored at the line to secure the 68-58 win.  

GAME NOTES

  • Virginia Tech improves to 20-7 on the season and 10-5 in ACC action
  • The Hokies are the third ACC team this season to sweep the California trip, joining Duke and Louisville
  • Tech matched its season-high 25 makes at the free throw line in a game where they shot 86.2 percent from the charity stripe (25-29)
  • Virginia Tech dominated in fast break points, outscoring Cal 15-1
  • Guard Samyha Suffren poured in a career-high 19 points behind a season-best 5-7 performance at the line
  • Carleigh Wenzel posted her 11th straight double-digit scoring performance with 15 points and knocked down Tech’s lone three-pointer of the contest
  • Wenzel went a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line, the best performance at the stripe in an ACC game since Dara Mabrey went 12-12 at North Carolina on Feb. 9, 2020
  • Forward Kilah Freelon notched her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds
  • Freelon tied her career-high four steals, a mark she last reached against Incarnate Word on Nov. 4, 2024
  • Junior Carys Baker rounded out the double-figure scorers with her 10 points and added five rebounds

UP NEXT
Virginia Tech heads back to Cassell Coliseum for a two-game stretch, its first on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. against No. 21 North Carolina. The game will be shown nationally on ACC Network.

Highlights vs. Cal