Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech could not overcome the Wolfpack’s second quarter run as they fell to NC State, 82-62, Sunday afternoon.
The Hokies move to 18-7 overall and 13-3 inside Cassell Coliseum.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech used two three-pointers from Carleigh Wenzel (9:08, 8:29), along with a free throw, to put the Hokies ahead 9-4. Kilah Freelon stretched the advantage to seven points twice, first with a heavily contested layup under the hoop and later with a second-chance basket with 2:19 remaining, making it 19-12. NC State rallied for the last seven points of the quarter to knot the game at 19-all.
The Hokies and Wolfpack traded baskets to open the second quarter before NC State scored 10 unanswered points to claim a 31-23 lead. Wenzel’s two shots from the charity stripe briefly stopped the run and cut the deficit to six, 31-25, with 5:56 remaining in the half. The Wolfpack scored 11 of the final 13 points of the half as Virginia Tech faced a 44-27 deficit heading into the locker room.
Tech kept trying to pull itself within striking distance, drawing to 50-35 on a hook shot in the paint by Carys Baker. Wenzel boosted the Hokies’ offense by burying her third triple of the contest at the 3:52 mark. NC State answered each push with balanced scoring, including timely finishes in the lane and trips to the free-throw line.
After facing an early 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter, Sophie Swanson came off the bench and provided a lift for Virginia Tech by knocking down a three-pointer at 7:23, then taking the ball the length of the floor after forcing a turnover at 6:18. Freelon worked down low, scoring six straight points in the span of a minute before Wenzel’s jump shot cut it to a 14-point game, 74-60. NC State closed out the game from the line for an 82-62 final score.
GAME NOTES
- Virginia Tech won the rebounding battle, 41-37
- Guard Carleigh Wenzel paced the Hokies with her 22 points, her eighth straight game scoring in double figures
- It is also her second 20-point effort in the last three outings
- Forward Kilah Freelon notched her fourth double-double of the season behind 14 points and career-best 18 rebounds
- It is Freelon’s second straight game where she has grabbed double figure boards and third time in the last four contests
- Wenzel and Mackenzie Nelson both dished out a team-best three assists
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech treks out to the West Coast for a two-game swing. Their first game is set for Thursday, Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. ET at Stanford.