Hokies' Quick Fixes Give Way To 85–62 Hounding Of UNC Asheville

Dylan Tefft

Staff Writer

November 13, 2024

BLACKSBURG — Three days removed from an eye-opening loss to Iowa in the Ally Tipoff, Virginia Tech rebounded, throttling UNC Asheville 85–62 in Cassell Coliseum. 

The 71–52 loss to the Hawkeyes waved burning red flags about a Hokies (2-1) offense that — while talented — was riddled with inexperience and unfamiliarity with first-year head coach Megan Duffy’s all-new offense. 

The competitive difference between the Bulldogs (0–2) and Hawkeyes may be vast, but Tech’s more laser-focused and confident performance Wednesday night was more than reassuring for Duffy’s blooming squad. 

“Offensively, it was just such a different game [than Iowa],” Duffy said. “In style, we knew Asheville was going to try and pressure and turn you over … different from what Iowa did, so we had to take care of the ball.

“So it was a little bit of settling down from the Iowa game into just a new scout and a new mindset, and not have a hangover of what happened on Sunday, and lock into what Asheville was going to do.”

That restart began with a player that few believed would be Tech’s leading scorer through three games: point guard Carleigh Wenzel, who had a career-high 25 points in the win. 

“I know I had it in me last year — that just wasn’t my role,” Wenzel said. “That’s not what they needed me to do. And so this year, [I’m] just trying to let the team know I got them, and that's something that I’m going to try to bring every night. I know they might not fall every night, but that’s something that I’m pushing on doing.” 

The redshirt sophomore was an asset to every facet of the game, finishing with team- and career-highs in not just points, but rebounds (8) and steals (3) too. The win marks 6-foot Wenzel’s second straight game leading her team on the boards. In the season’s opener, she tied for second. 

“I just know Rose [Micheaux] got big girls down there,” Wenzel said. “I know me and Lani [White], we focus on just trying to get tips in there. And sometimes the ball falls to you, sometimes it doesn’t. Lately it just has been.” 

Despite her team-high 14 points against Iowa, Wenzel’s 5-for-13 shooting and six turnovers showed a lack of confidence not uncommon for a young player’s first big-minute outing against a powerhouse program. 

But against the Bulldogs, Wenzel settled into a slower approach focused on finding high-quality shots — the buckets just came with it. 

“I was kind of frustrated at myself after Iowa because I felt like there were small looks that I had, there are small reads that I was missing,” Wenzel said. “So just seeing the ball go in the net for me today was something that I feel like I needed.” 

While steady, balanced basketball was the theme of the final 37 minutes of the Hokies’ win, the first three began right where the Hawkeyes’ thumping left off.

Tech’s first possession saw a pass slip out of bounds, allowing the Bulldogs to take the first points of the game. The next two Hokies possessions featured Matilda Ekh turnovers born of the same jittery play they brought to Iowa — she handed the ball to Asheville once again before Mackenzie Nelson found Tech’s first score nearly two-and-a-half minutes into the match. 

Another awry pass from Wenzel made five turnovers in just three minutes. Something had to change before the Hokies botched themselves into an early 1–2 record. 

Samyha Suffren then took patient control of the point, allowing the offense to settle. At the right moment, she blazed inside and finished with grace, giving Tech a lead it would never lose. 

“I thought we were just a little bit undisciplined at times, a little bit lackadaisical with our passes,” Duffy said of early-game struggles. “You’re gonna have, with the team we have, situations like that. I think it’s important how quickly we can stop it before a game can get out of hand. Fortunately, we were able to settle in a little bit better.”

Tech’s lead exploded following Suffren’s score, reaching as much as 19 following a late Ekh three-pointer to enter halftime up 41–22. The deficit grew to a game-high 27 midway through the third quarter — a comfortable enough lead that Duffy began to send out Tech’s futures. 

Freshmen Leila Wells, Ramiya White, Kayl Petersen and Nelson made appearances across the blowout. Peterson’s 10 points and 6-foot-5 White’s four rebounds in 11 minutes were especially exciting prospects.

“[Peterson] wants to be on the court,” Wenzel said. “Very coachable, very willing to learn. Asks a lot of questions. We’ll just be sitting or drawing up a play. She said, ‘Well, why do we do this?’ I was like ‘Kayl, I don't know. It's just what you're supposed to do.’ So I think she’s super open-minded.”

“I think Ramiya deserved time today,” Duffy said. “She’s been really focusing in on getting her body right and healthy, doing extra workouts. I think she proved it in practice. Even though she didn’t play against Iowa, I thought she had a great week leading up to it. 

“And it's a little bit of our team, if you work your tail end off at practice, you know there’s going to be opportunities at different times to come in.”

The Hokies will continue their homestand on Saturday for a matinée match with Coppin State (2 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra).