Hokies Fall, 62-53 To Cavaliers

The Hokies came out strong defensively looking for their second ACC victory against rival Virginia (19-7, 7-3 ACC). Tech’s mixture of zone and half court trap defense early on kept the Cavaliers to a season low 18 points in the first half. However, the Hokies couldn’t hold on down the stretch.

“I felt like the first half we were definitely thrown off by the zone a little bit, we weren’t in any sort of flow and our shots weren’t falling,” Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan said.

The Cavaliers came out of the locker room with a defensive game plan themselves, using transition and fast-breaks to go on a 13-0 run in a two minute span. Ryan added, “Once we settled down and changed up defenses a little bit it was a real good point for us. We were able to rebound a little better, we were able to run, get out, and get some easy transition baskets”.

“In my estimation, I think transition is 80-90 percent of Virginia’s offense. When they get going in transition, they are tough to beat,” Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger said.

UVA’s Sharnee Zoll finished with a double-double, including 11 assists. “I was pushing the ball, my girls were running, every time I looked up Monica [Wright] was almost at the other free throw line. I couldn’t pass the ball up quick enough,” Zoll said.

The Hokies didn’t go down without a fight. There were nine ties and seven lead changes that ended with forced fouls to put the Cavs on the line to sink 10 free throws and cap the win at 62-53.

The Hokies were led by Utahya Drye with 16 points and Brittany Cook with 14. Monica Wright led the Cavaliers with 21 points. With this loss the Hokies fall to 14-12 overall, 1-10 in the ACC.

Tech will host the Duke Blue Devils this Friday at 7 p.m.