Chanette Hicks scored a season-high 21 points to lead Virginia Tech to an 86-63 non-conference victory over High Point on Saturday night at Carilion Clinic Court.
The win marked the sixth straight for the Hokies, who moved to 11-2 on the season and wrapped up the non-conference portion of their schedule. High Point fell to 4-4.
“No, they’re not,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said when asked if his team was ready for ACC play. “I don’t know if any coach thinks they are. I like where we are, but we’re not exactly where I want to be. Obviously, Alexis Jean not being with us [because of an injury] made us re-invent ourselves, and I don’t think we’re going to be the team we can be toward the middle or the end of the ACC schedule – hopefully we’ll get her back. She adds some depth, but she also adds toughness and rebounding and another scoring threat.
“I thought the kids did a great job since she went down of re-inventing themselves and learning how to play with each other and everyone moving over a seat, so to speak, and did a really good job. I like where we are, but I think we can get a lot better.”
The Hokies got off to a sluggish started and trailed by as many as eight with less than eight minutes left in the first half. But Tech rallied, using a 13-2 run spanning both halves to take the lead for good.
Rachel Camp’s three-point play with 26 seconds left in the first half started the run, and then Tech scored 10 of the first 12 points of the second half, ending the run with back-to-back 3-pointers from Kendyl Brooks and Taylor Emery.
Hicks played one of her best games of the season, as she hit 8 of 11 from the floor. She also dished out six assists and recorded six steals, tying a season high. Regan Magarity added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hokies, while Taylor Emery finished with 16 points.
Shea Morgan led High Point with 20 points.
Tech moved to 22-6 in home games under head coach Kenny Brooks who continued her streak by hitting a 3-pointer in her 21st consecutive game. She hit four in the game and has hit at least one 3-pointer in 41 of the 45 games in which she has played in her career.
The Hokies hit nine 3-pointers against High Point and has hit at least nine in eight of 13 games this season. They lead the ACC with 110 3’s.
Tech has hit at least five 3-pointers in 20 consecutive games dating back to last season.
Seeing extended time because of the injury to Alexis Jean, Michelle Berry finished with nine rebounds and has recorded six consecutive game of at least nine rebounds.
For the sixth consecutive game, the Hokies held an opponent to under 35 percent shooting from the floor. Magarity’s double-double marked her eighth of the season and the 23rd of her career.
For the seventh time this season, the Hokies attempted at least 20 free throws in a game. They are 6-1 in those games.
Tech made 17 free throws, giving it 193 made free throws on the season – the most in the ACC.
For the seventh time this season, the Hokies scored at least 80 points in a game. They only did that six times last season.
The Hokies’ next contest will be their ACC opener against the NC State Wolfpack on Dec. 28 after final exams. The game will be the second part of a doubleheader, with the men’s program playing host to North Carolina A&T at noon. Tipoff for the women’s game is slated for 2:30 p.m., and the game can be seen on ACC Network Extra. The 28th also will be Montgomery County School Day when elementary and middle school students will receive complimentary admission to the game with a flier sent home from their schools.
–VT Athletics
