EKH AND WENZEL SHINE AS TECH DEFEATS CAL, 87-84

Duncan Irvine

Staff Writer

February 23, 2025

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech (17-10, 8-8 ACC) defeated California (22-7, 10-6) 87-84 in its final home game of the regular season Sunday afternoon.

The Hokies entered the game following a crushing 75-74 overtime loss to Stanford, while Cal came in on a three-game winning streak.

The win is especially significant for a Hokies team on the fringe of the NCAA Tournament. Tech entered Sunday’s game as ESPN analyst Charlie Creme’s “last team in,” and the victory keeps them solidly in the conversation.

Before the game, Matilda Ekh and Rose Micheaux were honored for Senior Day, with Tech head coach Megan Duffy emphasizing the importance of their hard work. 

“For our program, it's not about their numbers—it's about playing hard,” Duffy said. “It's about picking somebody else up even when they have a bad day. 

“I haven't known these guys for years—it's been just a few months—but it feels like a lifetime. … I couldn't ask for two better young women to help lead Virginia Tech and help lead our team.”

The first quarter was tight, with the largest lead for either team coming when Cal went up 13-9.

Carys Baker hit a pair of threes to keep the Hokies within reach, and they eventually took a 19-18 lead into the second frame.

The second quarter played out much like the first. Both teams played scrappy defense and traded tough baskets in the paint. Neither could pull away, with each team’s largest run of the game being seven points.

Cal retook a 38-37 lead off an Ionna Krimili three with just under a minute to go in the first half—a lead they took into the locker room.

In the first two quarters, the teams shot nearly identically from the field, but Cal went 6-of-14 from three, significantly better than the Hokies 2-of-7 mark.

The Bears leaned into this aspect in the second half, going 4-of-7 from three-point range in the third quarter.

Tech regained the lead in the third quarter, with Baker continuing to excel on both ends and Carleigh Wenzel finding her rhythm offensively.

Cal didn’t let the Cassell Coliseum crowd rattle them, maintaining composure in a hostile environment. The Bears forced missed shots on defense and avoided unforced errors.

Despite an incredible 12-of-15 shooting performance in the third quarter, the Hokies couldn’t seem to close the door, holding a 66-61 lead. 

Cal opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run until Ekh drained a three to give the Hokies a 69-67 advantage. 

Bears starting center Ugonne Onyiah fouled out with just under four minutes to go, a sign of the game's physicality, especially in the paint. 

The fourth quarter resembled the first two. It seemed like every time Ekh or Wenzel scored a basket to extend the Hokies’ lead, Marta Suarez or Krimili had an answer for Cal.

With just 24 seconds to play, Micheaux gave the Hokies an 83-80 lead after laying it in off the glass. 

Cal took just four seconds to get down the court and to the free throw line before beginning to foul on Tech’s next possession.

As time was winding down, Krimili made a huge shot to keep the Golden Bears in the game. With her foot barely on the line, she canned a deep two that made it 85-84.

The Hokies made their free throws and forced a miss on the final possession, gritting it out and claiming the win.

On her Senior Day, Ekh scored 19 points while also collecting five assists. 

Wenzel finished with 19 as well, going 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. 

Mackenzie Nelson provided a spark off the bench for the Hokies, scoring eight, adding three assists, and collecting two boards.

Suarez led Cal with 20 points and finished with 10 boards. Krimili was close behind with 19 points, making four of her seven three point attempts. 

Notably, the Hokies finished with just five turnovers—a program record.

“There were many great stats from this game, but that was my favorite one,” Duffy said. 

”I thought we just had a different mentality—even handling their pressure as the game went on a little bit. … When you get shots off, you have a chance to make them, and when you give it to the other team, it's kind of a simple game. You don’t have as many opportunities.”

While it wasn’t pretty, the Hokies earned a gritty win over an NCAA Tournament team, solidifying their place in the field.

“We put our mind to what we needed to do to be able to execute stuff,” Micheaux said. “We just poured into each other. We know that we're not just playing for ourselves—we're playing for one another.” 

The Hokies return to action Thursday, Feb. 27, when they travel to Chestnut Hill to face Boston College at 7 p.m. ET.