When the Virginia Tech women's basketball team was left out of the NCAA Tournament, they were the top seed for the WBIT after being the first team left out of the 68-team NCAA Tournament field. Sometimes when teams don't make the big dance, they struggle in the "lower tournament" and sometimes it's a one-and-done.
Hosting North Carolina A&T on Thursday night at Cassell Coliseum in the first round, the first four-plus minutes had the feel of the Hokies not wanting to be there as they missed their first eight shots and fell behind 9-0 before Megan Duffy called a timeout. Whatever she said in that break worked.
Virginia Tech overpowered North Carolina A&T after slow start
Virginia Tech got a Carleigh Wenzel layup out of the timeout and by the time the first quarter ended, Virginia Tech held a 17-13 lead and that was just the beginning. In the second and third quarters, the Hokies held the Aggies to 13 points total, including outscoring them, 21-5, in the second quarter on their way to a 38-18 halftime advantage on their way to a 61-45 win.
The second half was an offensive struggle for both sides, but the biggest news as Virginia Tech playing most of the half without Matilda Ekh who left after taking an elbow to the nose. It didn't matter, but they will need her going forward on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock against either Texas Tech or Wyoming in the second round.
Lani White led Virginia Tech (19-12) with 18 points and seven rebounds, while redshirt freshman Mackenzie Nelson came off the bench and 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Wenzel had nine points and six rebounds, while Carys Baker also added nine for the Hokies.
It wasn't surprising to see the Hokies struggle early as it had been two weeks since they last played in an ACC Tournament loss against Georgia Tech. However, once they got going, they overpowered the Aggies and advanced to the second round.