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Virginia Tech women start slow, pull away from UNC-Greensboro

By Scott Roche

Mar 31, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies center Elizabeth Kitley (33) stands on the court during warmups prior to the game against the LSU Lady Tigers in semifinals of the women's Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies center Elizabeth Kitley (33) stands on the court during warmups prior to the game against the LSU Lady Tigers in semifinals of the women's Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Through the first quarter of Monday night’s non-conference battle, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team was in a battle with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Through 10 minutes, the Hokies held just a 17-16 advantage and had to claw for everything they got.

That changed in the second quarter and the No. 9 Hokies established themselves on both ends of the floor in a 72-51 win to improve to 3-1 on the season.

Virginia Tech struggled shooting in the first half

It was not the best half shooting the ball for the Hokies and a lot of that had to do with the Spartans’ defense. Virginia Tech was 15-for-34 from the floor, which included a dreadful 3-for-13 from beyond the arc. After a sluggish first quarter, the Hokies picked things up in the second quarter.

After scoring eight points in the first quarter, Elizabeth Kitley had 10 points in the second and started to establish herself inside the paint. Georgia Amoore was 1-for-9 from the floor with her only basket coming in the second quarter off a steal and layup. Cayla King ended the half with a 3-pointer from the top of the key as Virginia Tech outscored UNC-Greensboro 22-9.

Amoore heated up in the second half for Virginia Tech

Amoore’s sluggish start didn’t slow first-half start slow her down. On the opening possession of the half, she calmly stepped into a 3-point shot and hit it, then hit an elbow jumper as the Hokies slowly increased their lead to 50-30.

In the fourth quarter, Kitley continued to dominate in the post as she was able to get inside position rebounding and she was also able to get deep in the post and convert an-and-one as the Hokies were able to see the lead grow to 24 at 69-45.

Kitley led the way with another double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Amoore chipped in with nine points and eight assists. Matilda Ekh also had nine points for the Hokies and Rose Micheaux had eight.

Virginia Tech will now head to the Cayman Islands for a pair of games against Kansas (Friday) and Tulane (Saturday), before heading to LSU on Nov. 30 in a rematch of last season’s Final Four battle won by the Tigers.

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