Hokies Steal the Show In Second Half, Clobber Winston-Salem State, 67-43

There’s likely a warrant out for Laura Haskins arrest; that is if grand larceny was taken seriously tonight. Haskins committed seven steals as she and her accomplices forced Winston-Salem State into 30 turnovers in a 67-43 blow out.

A flurry of these turnovers occurred at the beginning of the second half, spurring a 31-6 run that pulled the Hokies out of a narrow halftime lead. Said Tech women’s basketball coach Beth Dunkenberg, “[In the first half] we tried to make too much to happen on our offensive end and didn’t allow our defense to create that for us.”

The convincing win lifts Tech to 2-0 and drops Winston-Salem State to 0-1.

The story tonight was opportunistic defense, lead by Haskins. The junior guard played a pivotal roll on defense and in transition points, recording seven steals, seven assists, and six rebounds.

Haskins only scored two points herself, but Brittany Cook (18 points) and Andrea Barbour (17 points), among others, capitalized on her exploits.

“I couldn’t buy a basket,” said Haskins, “So I figured I might as well play some defense.”

The Lady Rams hung tight for the first twenty minutes en route to a 30-23 halftime deficit. However, the ladies from the MEAC were blown out of the water in the second session, due in large part to a turnover differential that reached negative 14.

State center Vontisha Woods turned in an admirable performance, logging 17 points and six boards.

The Hokies remain in the friendly confines of Cassell Coliseum to face Liberty on Monday.