Hokies Make Defensive Statement in Dallas, Rout SMU 79–42 as Tournament Momentum Accelerates

DALLAS — The most telling number on the stat sheet Thursday night wasn’t Virginia Tech’s 79 points, or even the staggering 41-point margin of victory. It was 22.2% — the shooting percentage SMU managed against a Hokies defense that has rapidly evolved from a question mark into one of the ACC’s most disruptive units.

Virginia Tech dismantled SMU 79–42 at Moody Coliseum, delivering its third consecutive conference win by 20 points or more and reinforcing a growing belief around the league: the Hokies are no longer rebuilding — they’re breaking through.

As the calendar moves deeper into January, Virginia Tech is trending hard in the right direction. Entering the night hovering around the “First Four Out” line in NCAA Tournament projections, the Hokies continue to stack the exact kind of wins the selection committee values — dominant margins, elite defensive efficiency, and consistent two-way execution.

Thursday’s performance may have been their most complete yet.

A Defense Transformed

Virginia Tech’s improvement on the defensive side of the ball compared to last season has been dramatic, and against SMU it was overwhelming.

The Hokies:

• Held SMU to 12-of-54 shooting (22.2%)
   
• Limited the Mustangs to 3-of-18 from three (16.7%)
   
• Forced 22 turnovers
   
• Converted those miscues into 29 points
   
• Allowed just 18 points in the paint

From the opening tip, Virginia Tech dictated terms with physical on-ball pressure, quick rotations, and disciplined closeouts on the perimeter. SMU struggled to initiate offense, often pushed far outside its comfort zone before even entering a set.

Virginia Tech’s man-to-man defense — a staple of its identity — was particularly effective. Guards fought over screens, wings denied passing lanes, and helped defenders arrive early and decisively. The result rushed decisions and a growing sense of frustration for a short-handed SMU roster.

By halftime, the Mustangs were shooting 25%, had committed 13 turnovers, and trailed by 13 despite Virginia Tech not yet finding its full offensive rhythm.

SMU Short-Handed, Hokies Ruthless

SMU entered the game severely limited, dressing just eight players due to a wave of injuries and illness. Four of the Mustangs’ top contributors were unavailable, forcing their head coach to rely on players logging extended minutes and, in some cases, playing out of position.

Virginia Tech, at full strength, showed no mercy.

Fatigue became visible by the second quarter as SMU struggled to keep pace defensively and failed to secure defensive rebounds. The Hokies capitalized with 22 fast-break points and repeatedly punished breakdowns with quick ball movement and interior touches.

Despite the circumstances, SMU continued to compete. Freshman Jasmine Gipson scored the first basket of her collegiate career, and Anaya Brown battled inside for 22 points and nine rebounds. But the margin for error was nonexistent — and Virginia Tech ensured there would be none.

Breaking the Zone — A Season-Long Theme

SMU’s coaching staff attempted to change momentum late in the first quarter, switching to a 2–3 zone in hopes of slowing Virginia Tech’s penetration and limiting transition opportunities.

Instead, it played directly into one of Virginia Tech’s biggest strengths.

All season, the Hokies have thrived against 2-3 zone defenses, and Thursday night showcased why. Their high-low offense was precise and patient, consistently forcing the middle defender to choose — and punishing whichever option was left open.

The ball moved quickly from side to side, entry passes were decisive, and cutters attacked gaps with purpose. Virginia Tech repeatedly touched the paint before kicking out to shooters or dumping the ball inside for high-percentage looks.

By the end of the first half, SMU was stuck between defensive schemes — unable to contain dribble penetration in man coverage and overwhelmed by ball movement in zone.

Third Quarter Avalanche

If there was any lingering doubt about the outcome, Virginia Tech erased it in the opening minutes of the second half.

The Hokies opened the third quarter with three straight three-pointers, instantly pushing the lead past 25 and forcing a quick SMU timeout. Virginia Tech shot 43% from three for the night and reached that mark midway through the third quarter.

What followed was a textbook example of a team fully engaged on both ends:

• Defensive stops turned into transition opportunities
   
• Offensive rebounds extended possessions
   
• SMU struggled just to cross half court cleanly

Virginia Tech outscored SMU 25–14 in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 45–33 entering the fourth and effectively ending the contest.

Samyha Suffren Takes Over

Few players embodied Virginia Tech’s two-way dominance more than Samyha Suffren.

Despite shooting just 28% from three on the season entering the game, Suffren continued to draw defensive attention well beyond the arc. That respect opened driving lanes, forced rotations, and allowed her to dictate tempo.

In the second half, Suffren took over completely.

She finished with:

• Career-high 18 points
   
• Three steals
   
• Multiple momentum-swinging defensive plays

Her ability to pressure defenders without the ball, then capitalize once it was in her hands, was a key factor in Virginia Tech’s offensive flow. Even when she wasn’t scoring, her presence reshaped SMU’s defensive alignment.

Freelon Controls the Glass

Kilah Freelon delivered another elite performance, reinforcing her status as one of the best offensive rebounders in the country.

Freelon posted:

• 18 points
   
• Nine rebounds
   
• Six made field goals
   
• Six free throws

Her work on the offensive glass was relentless. SMU struggled to get bodies on her in the second half, leading to extended possessions and demoralizing second-chance points.

Virginia Tech finished with:

• 50 total rebounds
   
• 17 offensive boards
   
• 22 second-chance points

Those extra opportunities wore down an already thin Mustangs lineup and kept Virginia Tech firmly in control.

The Hokies Delivers

Virginia Tech’s depth was another decisive factor.

Four Hokies scored in double figures, and the bench accounted for 31 points, including:

• Carleigh Wenzel, who hit her 33rd three-pointer of the season
   
• Carys Baker, who poured in 15 points with efficient shot selection
   
• Mel Daley, who sparked the offense with six early second-quarter points
   
• Mackenzie Nelson, who didn’t score but added five assists, continuing her ACC-best pace at six assists per game

Every lineup combination functioned smoothly, a sign of both chemistry and trust — hallmarks of a team hitting its stride.

Closing with Authority

Virginia Tech opened the fourth quarter on a 17–5 run, pushing the lead past 40 and sealing the most lopsided ACC road win of the season.

The Hokies led by as many as 41 points, held SMU scoreless for long stretches, and never allowed the Mustangs to find offensive rhythm. Even with the outcome decided, Virginia Tech remained engaged defensively — contesting shots, rotating on help, and finishing possessions.

The Bigger Picture: A Tournament Team Emerging

As it stands, Virginia Tech sits just outside the NCAA Tournament field — but that line is moving.

Three straight ACC wins by 20 or more points.
 Elite defensive metrics.
 Consistent perimeter shooting.
 Depth and balance across the rotation.

This is no longer a team scraping by — it’s a team asserting itself.

If Virginia Tech continues to defend at this level, they won’t just sneak into the tournament. They’ll be a matchup no one wants to see.

And on a Thursday night in Dallas, the Hokies made sure the rest of the ACC took notice.