newcomers amoore and jones lead way for hokies in win over richmond

Jackson Didlake

November 26, 2020

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech never trailed in its 85-54 season-opening victory over Richmond at home on Wednesday.

A new face in Blacksburg, freshman guard Georgia Amoore led the way for the Hokies (1-0, 0-0) with 19 points in their victory.

“It took me a while to get going… but once that happened it felt great,” Amoore said. “Once I get in my rhythm and just play, it comes.”

Amoore added four assists and two rebounds in her debut. She hails from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia and previously competed for the Austrian National Team at youth levels.

“She looked like she was playing very tentative in the first half,” Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks said. “She is such a dynamite basketball player. We’re willing to work with some of those mistakes.”

Aisha Sheppard had two assists and led the Hokies with three steals while thriving behind the arc, hitting five threes. The Spiders (0-1, 0-0) struggled all game to stop Elizabeth Kitley, who secured a double-double in the first half before finishing the contest with 15 points, 17 rebounds, two blocks and two assists.

Meanwhile, USC transfer Asiah Jones recorded 17 points, five rebounds and two assists in her debut at Tech, and Cayla King added 11 points and two assists.

“They did better than I was hoping,” Brooks said of newcomers Amoore and Jones. “I felt like it was Christmas morning and for the last couple weeks, I was looking at that present under the tree. Today, I got to open that box.”

Kate Klimkiewicz led the Spiders with 14 points and four steals, along with four rebounds. Claire Holt added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Addie Budnik had 12 points, three rebounds and two blocks.

The Hokies finished the contest shooting 49.3% from the field while limiting the Spiders to 38.3%. Meanwhile, Tech was 41.4% from three compared to Richmond’s 20%. Tech led in the turnover column narrowly, 14-16, but dominated 18-4 in points off turnovers.

The contest started off sloppy for both teams as they traded turnovers before Aisha Sheppard broke the drought with a three just 90 seconds in. The Hokies controlled the period while shooting three of six behind the arc to go out ahead 24-14. Kitley led the way with nine points and eight rebounds.

The Hokies added to their lead in the second quarter by outscoring the Spiders 18-6. Virginia Tech shot 50% from the field during the period, while Richmond shot only 15.4%.

The Hokies ended the first half with a bang as Sheppard hit a step-back contested three at the buzzer to put them ahead 42-20. Sheppard was the story of the half for Tech, leading the way with 15 points, all coming from three.

The Spiders showed some life early in the third quarter, jumping out to a 11-4 run before the Hokies responded five straight of their own, capped off by a Cayla King three. The Spiders fought to get some momentum late in the third, but the Hokies responded with a Georgia Amoore jumper that was followed by a thunderous Jones block on Elaina Chapman.

Amoore was the story of the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points, including three triples to help the Hokies hold on for a win.

The Hokies will look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday when they host Liberty at 2 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.