Virginia Tech women's basketball routs UNC Wilmington in Megan Duffy's debut

Monday night, the Megan Duffy era at Virginia Tech began after the former Marquette coach took over Kenny Brooks who left for Kentucky after the Hokies' elimination from the NCAA Tournament last March. With a new-look roster, all eyes were on the season-opener against UNC Wilmington at Cassell Coliseum.

If there was a blueprint for nearly a perfect start to the season for Virginia Tech and Duffy, it played out that way. The Hokies scored the game's first 15 points and used a suffocating defense to get out in transition to build an early lead on the Seahawks and they never looked back in a 99-57 win. Here are some observations from the Hokies season-opening win.

Observations from Virginia Tech women's basketball win over UNC Wilmington

• One thing that the Hokies are going to need to be able to do this season is spread around the scoring on a nightly basis. That was the case against the Seahawks. They placed five players in double figures with Ekh leading the way with 18 points. Carleigh Wenzel, Carys Baker, and Rose Micheaux each had 14, while Kayl Petersen had 12.
• Petersen was impressive in her first game as a Hokie. She was able to score inside, and outside and was very good on defense. She was even able to put the ball on the ground and get to the basket.
• Ekh picked up where she left off last season. After winning the opening tip, Virginia Tech found the senior and drilled a 3-pointer for the first basket of the season. Baker and Petersen each also drained a pair of treys.
• Not only were the Hokies scoring the basketball, but they spread it around with 23 assists and they grabbed 41 rebounds. They also finished with 42 field goals, two shy of tying the program record of 44 against Saint Francis on Nov. 5, 2019.

It was a good start, but things are going to get tougher on Sunday night when they play Iowa in Charlotte in the Ally Tip-Off at 5:30 on ESPN2.