Lady Hokies have a little Trouble in Paradise

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — In a bruising semifinal showdown at the Paradise Jam Tournament, Virginia Tech couldn’t quite overcome a cold offensive start and BYU’s second-half shot-making, falling 64–60 in a game defined by defensive intensity and late momentum swings. The loss drops the Hokies to 5–2 on the season, with both defeats coming away from Blacksburg.

Sluggish Start Derails Hokies’ Early Momentum

From the opening tip, the matchup unfolded exactly as advertised: physical, defensive, and razor-thin on margin for error. But Virginia Tech’s early turnovers—six in the first quarter alone—prevented them from finding a sustainable rhythm. Even when the Hokies generated stops and controlled the defensive boards, empty possessions and rushed decisions stalled any chance of building separation.

Despite their offensive struggles, the Hokies were sharp on the defensive end. Virginia Tech’s on-ball pressure and tight closeouts kept BYU off the three-point line entirely in the first half, holding the Cougars to 0-for-6 from deep. That disciplined defensive execution allowed the Hokies to stay in front for much of the first two quarters, but their inability to convert on the other end kept the margin dangerously small.

Cougars Heat Up From Deep, Swing the Game After Halftime

The second half told a different story.

After being shut down from beyond the arc early, BYU finally found daylight on the perimeter, knocking down five triples in the final 20 minutes. Each make seemed to chip away at the Hokies’ defensive confidence, gradually shifting momentum toward the Cougars.

Virginia Tech continued to find points in the mid-range—one of their most dependable scoring areas this season—but the Hokies couldn’t fully match BYU’s second-half firepower. A pair of BYU threes in the final four minutes created just enough cushion to fend off a late Tech surge.

The neutral-site environment, holiday travel, and compressed schedule all created a grind of a week for the Hokies, who remained undefeated at home but again struggled to finish tight contests away from Cassell Coliseum.

Daley Reaches 1,000 Career Points in Milestone Performance

One of the night’s brightest moments came courtesy of graduate guard Mel Daley, who reached the 1,000-point mark for her career. Daley scored 17 points, 10 of them in the first half, and delivered the steady, physical interior presence Tech leaned on during its early scoring droughts.

Daley reached the milestone after four seasons at Northwestern and a seamless transition into Virginia Tech’s system, becoming an immediate impact player for the Hokies this season.

Wenzel Catches Fire Late From Deep

Guard Carleigh Wenzel nearly willed Virginia Tech back into the game by herself. Trailing by nine late in the fourth, Wenzel drilled three consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit to a single possession. She finished with four made threes—her latest display as Tech’s most consistent long-range option.

Her late-game heroics energized the Hokies’ bench and momentarily stunned the Cougars, but BYU answered each punch just well enough to keep the lead intact.

Freelon Owns the Glass Once Again

Forward Kilah Freelon continued her dominant stretch on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds—her fourth straight game with double-digit rebounding. Freelon’s defensive rebounding in particular limited BYU’s second-chance scoring and was a major reason Tech stayed within striking distance despite offensive stagnation.

Mid-Range Efficiency, Defensive Hustle Keep Hokies Alive

While the Hokies struggled from three and left points at the rim, their mid-range game kept them afloat. Clean pull-ups, elbow jumpers, and short corner looks proved to be Tech’s most reliable scoring source.

Defensively, the Hokies’ transition discipline was exceptional. Several times in the second half, Tech sprinted back to break up would-be BYU runouts, including two crucial stops that temporarily halted the Cougars’ momentum.

But in a tight, possession-by-possession game, BYU’s perfectly-timed threes in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.

Looking Ahead

Even in defeat, Virginia Tech showcased toughness, defensive commitment, and flashes of late-game firepower. The Hokies looked to bounce back quickly as they take on Oregon State in Saturday’s consolation matchup, aiming to close their Paradise Jam trip with a strong response and return to Blacksburg on a winning note.

Final: BYU 64, Virginia Tech 60

Virginia Tech Secures Third Place at Paradise Jam Behind Sharp Shooting and Composed Team Play

Under the Caribbean sun and in front of a lively holiday crowd, the Virginia Tech Hokies wrapped up their Paradise Jam trip with one of their most complete performances of the early season. With balanced scoring, confident shot-making, and contributions from every player in the rotation, the Hokies defeated their opponent 78–67 to clinch third place in the tournament and head home with momentum firmly on their side.

Baker Sets the Tone Early

Junior forward C. Baker (#10) delivered a poised, commanding performance that set the tone from the opening minutes. Baker scored 20 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-for-4 from deep, while grabbing a game-high seven rebounds. Whether knocking down a catch-and-shoot three to halt a run or slicing through defenders for a controlled finish at the rim, Baker repeatedly provided the steadying plays Tech needed.

Her composure was especially crucial during a shaky stretch in the second quarter, when the opponent closed the gap to two possessions. Baker responded with back-to-back buckets, reestablishing control and igniting a 9–2 run that pushed the Hokies back in front for good.

Daley Dominates Inside

While Baker commanded the perimeter, guard M. Daley (#21) was the engine powering the Hokies in the paint. Daley posted a monster 24-point outing on 10-of-12 shooting, blending soft touch with strength as she sealed, spun, and finished through contact. Her efficiency forced the opposing defense to collapse, opening lanes for drive-and-kick action and creating high-percentage looks for Tech’s guards.

Daley’s relentless work on the block quickly wore down the interior defense, and her physicality helped set the tone for the Hokies’ overall dominance in points in the paint.

Ball Movement Fuels the Win

If Daley and Baker provided the scoring punch, M. Nelson (#3) and C. Wenzel (#1) provided the rhythm.

Nelson was the floor general throughout the afternoon, finishing with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in 32 composed minutes. She controlled tempo, manipulated defenders out of ball screens, and consistently delivered the right pass to keep the offense in motion.

Wenzel was equally impactful, recording 13 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. Her two second-half threes came at pivotal moments, quieting opponent momentum and restoring Tech’s multi-possession cushion. Together, Nelson and Wenzel combined for 12 assists — driving a team total of 21 — and were central to the Hokies’ crisp offensive execution.

Freelon Brings Toughness and Energy on the Glass

Forward K. Freelon (#0) once again proved invaluable with her physical presence and effort plays. Freelon finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds, consistently battling on the offensive and defensive glass. Her willingness to fight for loose balls and her ability to keep possessions alive gave the Hokies a steady advantage inside and contributed significantly to their 36-rebound performance.

Bench Unit Delivers Energy, Stops, and Stability

Though the bench contributed only six points, their influence extended far beyond the box score.

• L. Wells (#2) added 6 points on strong drives and brought immediate aggression off the bench.
   
• A. Jenkins (#24) and K. Petersen (#34) offered rebounding strength and rim protection, absorbing tough defensive assignments.
   
• A. Trent (#30) and S. Swanson (#31) brought valuable ball movement, hustle, and communication, helping the Hokies sustain rhythm even with multiple starters resting.

The depth and activity of the second unit ensured that Tech never lost intensity, even during extended rotations.

Team Performance at a Glance

• FG: 29–60 (48%)
   
• 3PT: 6–19 (32%)
   
• Rebounds: 36
   
• Assists: 21
   
• Turnovers: 14
   
• Points in the Paint: Dominated behind Daley’s 24

Virginia Tech played with a calm, collected confidence — moving the ball, taking smart shots, and using physicality to control the game’s pace.

A Statement Win to Close the Tournament

The Hokies’ final showing at the Paradise Jam reflected everything the coaching staff hoped to see after a narrow semifinal loss: resilience, focus, and a clear identity on both ends of the floor. Baker’s leadership, Daley’s paint dominance, and the steady two-way play of Wenzel and Nelson proved too much for their opponent to handle.

With a 78–67 win and a well-earned third-place finish, Virginia Tech leaves the islands sharper, deeper, and energized for the stretch ahead as they return to Blacksburg.

Final: Virginia Tech 78, Opponent 67