Winners of three in a row, the Virginia Tech women's basketball team was looking to pick up a fourth straight win on Thursday night at home against Clemson. It was also a big game in terms of the NCAA Tournament as the Tigers were part of the "Last Four In" according to Charlie Creme of ESPN, and Virginia Tech was in the "First Four Out". Both teams needed the win badly, and it was the Hokies who picked up the valuable win.
Clemson took a six-point halftime lead at 39-33, and then led 68-60 late in the fourth quarter when Virginia Tech turned up the defensive pressure and outscored the Tigers 11-0 to close out the game and improve to 15-5 overall and 5-3 in the ACC. Here are three observations from the Hokies' win at Cassell Coliseum.
Virginia Tech grinds out win in the fourth quarter
It would have been easy for the Hokies late in the game to get frustrated, but they dug deep on both ends of the floor to pick up the win. They got stops when they needed them and forced two turnovers in the last 11 seconds to seal the win.
Trailing 68-67, Texas Tech transfer Kilah Freelon grabbed an offensive rebound, which led to a Megan Duffy timeout. On the ensuing inbounds play, Carleigh Wenzel found Carys Baker for a basket on the inside. After forcing a Clemson turnover, Wenzel knocked down two free throws. The game ended with a Tigers turnover, which was fitting considering how things went down the stretch.
Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker led the Hokies offensively
Duffy's two veterans, Wenzel and Baker, paved the way offensively with each tallying 24 points. However, it was their two points each in the final 12 seconds that were the deciding factor. Wenzel was 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. Baker was 7-for-17 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. Samyha Suffren also finished in double figures with 12, including a clutch 3-pointer late in the game to bring Virginia Tech within one point at 68-67.
Free throws, free throws, free throws
Virginia Tech was 23-for-31 from the free-throw line, which was 74%, but they could have had the game in hand earlier if they made more free throws. Clemson shot 70% from the stripe, going 14-for-20, but going forward, free throws are key in a game, and the Hokies could benefit from shooting better from there.
The Hokies will look for a fifth straight win on Sunday afternoon at Wake Forest, weather permitting.