No. 15 Virginia Tech thrashes Long Island, 98-50

Jack Brizendine

Editor-in-Chief

December 6, 2023

BLACKSBURG — Following Thursday’s disappointing loss in Baton Rouge to No. 7 LSU, No. 15 Virginia Tech bounced back on Wednesday night against Long Island, cruising against the Sharks 98-50.

[It’s a] good win for us,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks told reporters after the game. “At this stage of the year, just trying to stack games, stack good opportunities and good performances. [It was a] long time since our last outing, so we had a lot of time to think about a lot of different things, a lot of time to figure out what’s needed from this group and challenge a lot of kids throughout the week. I thought we got some positive responses.

Tech finished with six players scoring in double figures, including a pair of double-doubles from Georgia Amoore (14 assists, 10 points) and Elizabeth Kitley (17 points, 10 rebounds). 

Cayla King — the Hokies only other returning starter from last year’s Final Four team — got back in groove Wednesday night. Following a 1-f0r-7 performance from the field against LSU on Thursday, she paced Tech against the Sharks with seven makes from range to lead all scorers with 21 points.

“I think I was definitely hunting them a little bit more [tonight],” King said. “Against LSU I was kind of just waiting for it to come to me. But this game, I was looking for [opportunities], so that was a little bit different. For us to be good, I think I have to keep shooting. I can’t stop even if I’m not having a good shooting game.”

King wasn’t the only one to profit from behind-the-arc against LIU. Tech set a Cassell Coliseum record with 17 triples on the night.

True freshman Carys Baker — who finished second behind King with a season-high 18 points — went 4-of-6 from the field, giving the Hokies a spark off the bench.

“We need our freshmen, so just to see her step up and hit those big shots, it’s good for her confidence,” King said. “We have confidence in her so for her to see the ball through, I’m happy for her. I hope she soaks it in.”

Another Cassell record was broken on Wednesday night, as Tech dished out 30 assists as a team. Amoore led the way with 14 of her own.

While Tech rolled against LIU to move to 6-2 on the year, the group still has some meshing to do and chemistry to build. With only three returners from last year’s Final Four squad, everyone is still learning and adjusting to their roles.

“I know that we have to bring [the new players] along,” King said. “Me, Georgia [and] Liz — we kind of have to be second coaches on the floor and I think we’re getting better at that. We’re picking up new rules just like they are so I think as the season goes on, I think we’re getting better at that.

The Hokies have three more non-conference games before starting ACC play against Pitt at the end of the month. 

Over the next three weeks, Tech will look to polish its play and be prepared to climb back to the top of the ACC, even with a roster full of new faces.

And Brooks is ready to have his squad become the hunted again.

“I think that what we’ve learned as a group, and what we’ve talked about is, I think we really quickly turned into the hunters instead of being the hunted.

“Our mindset is shifting.”