BLACKSBURG, Va. — Zaire O’Neil posted a double-double as the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team dropped a close decision at Virginia Tech Thursday night, 68-62. Three Jackets recorded double-figure scoring games and two pulled down double-figure rebounding totals as Tech dropped to 13-8 overall and 2-6 in the ACC.
How It Happened
Using a 12-6 run over the final four minutes of the second quarter, Georgia Tech cut its deficit to just four points, 33-29, at halftime. The Hokies opened a double-digit lead in the second frame spanning an 8-0 run between quarters to pull away with a 23-12 advantage. Kaylan Pugh snapped the run with an old-fashioned three-point play, but VT would reopen a 10-point edge before Zaire O’Neil sparked the 12-6 run to close the half.
Lorela Cubaj handed the Jackets their first lead of the game, converting a layup for a 39-38 advantage with 6:06 to play in the third quarter. But Virginia Tech responded with a triple to regain the lead before the Jackets put together a 9-2 spurt to gain a 48-43 edge with 1:59 to play in the frame. The Hokies made it a one-point ballgame, 50-49, entering the final frame using a 6-2 run over the final 1:44 of the third stanza.
GT was forced to call its first timeout at 7:08 as the Hokies opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run behind back-to-back three-pointers from Aisha Sheppard for a 57-52 VT lead. Virginia Tech pulled out with a seven point lead in the fourth frame, but the Jackets never relinquished, slicing the score to one possession on a Kierra Fletcher bucket with 3:10 on the clock, setting up a 63-60 tally. After a trio of timeouts, Elo Edeferioka drew the score to 64-62 with 18.7 to play, but the Hokies finished the game going 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to seal the win, 68-62.
Tech Tidbits
* Three Jackets finished in double-figure scoring numbers led by O’Neil with 15 points
* Scott and Fletcher both added 12 points
* O’Neil posted her 11th career double-double tonight behind 12 rebounds
* Edeferioka also posted double-figure rebounding numbers, pulling down 10 boards as the teams finished tied on the glass, 48-48
* Virginia Tech hit eight three-pointers in the contest fueled by three from Sheppard
* Taylor Emery led the Hokies with 23 points
* Tech went 5-for-15 from the charity stripe and shot 37.3 percent (28-75) from the field
Next Up
Tech returns to the court on Sunday, Jan. 28, welcoming Virginia for a 1 p.m. matchup on ACC Network Extra in McCamish Pavilion.
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