Amoore and Kitley Combine for 52, Hokies Take Down the Wolfpack

The Queens of Cassell were unstoppable for the No. 11 Hokies last night in Reynolds Coliseum, as Georgia Amoore and Elizabeth Kitley scored 27 and 25 points, respectively.

Both players had tremendous nights as they shot a combined 20-of-36 (55%) from the field, including five triples from Amoore.

For No. 22 NC State (16-7, 6-6 ACC) they kept it close for the duration of the game, but Virginia Tech (19-4, 9-4 ACC) never gave up the lead in their 73-61 rout of the Wolfpack.

Unlike their start against Syracuse their last time out, the Hokies came out with a start like no other. Two quick threes by sharpshooter Kayla King and a couple buckets from Elizabeth Kitley propelled the Hokies to a quick 13-2 lead at the 6:01 mark in the first quarter. Pesky defense for the Wolfpack got them back into the game as they forced five turnovers in the final 5:10 to decrease Virginia Tech's lead to 22-18.

The Hokies stood tall as they fought against the Wolfpack in the second quarter. After allowing the Wolfpack to get back into the game in the first quarter, they locked in on the defensive side of the ball and held NC State to only 10 points in the quarter. Elizabeth Kitley stayed consistent, adding six of her 14 first half points in the quarter, and Amoore, after a rough first quarter, added two jumpers of her own. The Hokies had increased their lead once again as they held a 39-28 advantage going into halftime.

Both squads once again battled in the third as Georgia Amoore began to heat up. Amoore had seven points by the 4:54 mark and kept the lead consistent for the Hokies. Once again, the Wolfpack climbed back into the game and looked to take their first lead of the game after narrowing the score to 50-48 at the 1:44 mark. A huge three by D’Asia Gregg to stop the bleeding for the Hokies as well as another added three by Amoore in the final seconds of the quarter increased the lead to 58-48.

The Queens of Cassell ruled the fourth quarter for the Hokies. Amoore added 10 more to her total, and Kitley continued to dominate down low, securing herself another double-double and tying her second-highest season total with 14 rebounds. It’s safe to say that when these two play at their peaks, this Hokie squad could create some madness come March.

With their third straight ACC win, the Hokies are only a half game out of second place in the conference. In such a tough conference, Virginia Tech looks to establish itself even more in the remaining five games of the regular season.

Greater challenges remain for the Hokies as their next opponent is the No. 19 Florida State Seminoles, who are currently tied for second in the conference. The showdown will take place in Cassell Coliseum this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. as Virginia Tech looks to move to 12-1 at home.