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This past week the women’s basketball team lost two games against ranked conference opponents.
The first stumble occurred on Thursday against the then No. 15 Duke Blue Devils. Despite Regan Magarity recording her sixth straight double-double, the Hokie offense was muted. Initially, it seemed as if the Hokies would be in the fight. During the last third of the first quarter VT went on a scoring spree that saw them finish the period with a five point lead, 21-16. VPI was able to carry that lead through the first half of the second period before Duke accelerated and never really lost control. Virginia Tech was only able to manage 11 points in the second quarter and the teams entered the break with Duke leading, 32-38.
The Hokies’ woes continued in the second half. VT only managed 15 points during the third period, while Duke managed to more than double with 32 points. VPI entered the final period with a 23 point deficit, and only managed 12 points to Duke’s 14. Virginia Tech finished the game with 8-31 (25.8%) on 3-PT shots and 21-65 (32.3%) on field goals. Duke was left to walk away with a definitive, 59-84, victory.
No. 17/16 Hokies fall at No. 15/16 Duke: Cook and Magarity with double-doubles for Tech https://t.co/gFqInoqp61
— VT Women's Hoops (@VT_WBBall) January 20, 2017
Virginia Tech did not have much time to lick their wounds and three days later hosted the then No. 7 Florida State Seminoles. Unfortunately, the Fighting Gobblers again suffered from a stagnant offensive performance. The Hokies failed to score more than 18 points in any of the periods, and in the first quarter failed to even achieve ten points. After a three point shot from Kendyl Brooks the Hokies enjoyed a one point lead for 18 seconds during the waning minutes of the first quarter, but never again challenged FSU. On the bright side, Margarity set a program record for the most consecutive double-doubles, with seven. After the dust settled the Hokies suffered their first home loss of the season, 54-82.
FINAL
— VT Women's Hoops (@VT_WBBall) January 22, 2017
Cook 16 pts / 11 rebs
Hicks 16 pts
Magarity 10 pts / 11 rebs pic.twitter.com/cr5cQdCdWu
After the back-to-back losses the Hokies fell from AP No. 17 down to No. 19. They currently own a 16-3 overall record and a 3-3 conference mark.
This Thursday the Hokies travel to Charlottesville, and look to recover against the Virginia Cavaliers.