hokies snap duke's win streak in crucial acc matchup

Wyatt Krueger

February 28, 2020

BLACKSBURG, VA – Virginia Tech snapped Duke’s six game win streak in dominating fashion, winning 70-56 in Blacksburg to move into a tie for third place in the ACC.

“There’s nothing to it that’s impressive,” Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie said. “We did not play well, they played very well, and I thought [Virginia Tech] played more patient than they sometimes play relative to getting the ball inside.”

The Hokies (21-7, 11-6 ACC) came out strong in their final home game of the season led by their defense, jumping out to a 12-point lead in the first 16 minutes of play. The Hokies forced seven Duke (17-11, 11-6) turnovers in the first quarter, three being steals by Taja Cole, that led to 15 points.

Cole was assigned to the task of guarding Haley Gorecki, Duke’s leading scorer, andd held the star to 13 points on 5-19 shooting from the field.

“The defensive job she did on Gorecki was intentional but phenomenal,” Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said. “Haley Gorecki is probably the most talented player in our league, and you just have to make it hard for her. [Cole] did that.”

Offensively, the Hokies were led by freshman center Elizabeth Kitley, who recorded her third double-double in four games with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The freshman was efficient from the floor, making nine of her 13 attempts.

“If she’s not the rookie of the year [in the ACC] then I don’t know what’s going on,” Brooks said. “That kid has really carried us the last five or six games.”

Virginia Tech extended their lead to 12 by the end of the first half thanks to a boost off the bench from forward Trinity Baptiste. The junior recorded nine points and four rebounds in the first half, finishing with 16 points on the evening.

Forward Leaonna Odom led Duke offensively with 15 points and seven rebounds, but little production from Gorecki and the rest of the Blue Devils kept the game out of reach.

The Hokies held the Blue Devils to just 41% shooting from the field and 2-11 from three-point range.

Despite multiple Duke runs to bring Tech’s lead to single digits in the second half, timely buckets from Aisha Sheppard and Taja Cole put the game away down the stretch.

The Blue Devils head to Chapel Hill on Sunday to face rival North Carolina in their final game of the ACC season, while the Hokies travel to Louisville for a matchup with the fifth ranked Cardinals. With a win, the Hokies could clinch a double bye in the ACC tournament.

“We’re ready,” Baptiste said.