Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech point guard Aerial Wilson drives to the hoop in Monday night’s 64-60 loss to Boston College.

The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team struggled to take advantage of opportunities and fell to the Boston College Eagles Monday night, 64-60.

The Hokies struggled to defend the three throughout the entire game. But Boston College finished 10-21 from behind the arc for the game.

“We guarded (the three-pointer) horrendously,” said head coach Dennis Wolfe. “It wasn’t minor breakdowns. It was major breakdowns. We gave them open shots.”

Aerial Wilson led Tech with 22 points and seemed to be the only player in a consistent shooting rhythm.

“I’m just trying to be confident,” Wilson said. “That’s what they tell us before every game and practice — just be confident when you shoot.”

The Hokies got off to a sluggish start, trailing 15-3 to start the game, a score that remained until 2:30 left in the first half. However, three-pointers by Alyssa Fenyn and Wilson helped fuel a 10-0 run by Tech as it cut the lead to 32-29 at the half.

Tech came out of the second half with back-to-back baskets by Porschia Hadley and LaTorri Hines-Allen, taking its only lead at 33-32. However, the Eagles came back with a quick 5-0 run, ruling for good at 38-33.

Despite their improved record in league play this season, the Hokies have yet to win an ACC home game. Wolfe believes playing at home can be a distraction for his young team.

“We handle the road a little better because of the controlled environment,” Wolfe said. “I think what happens is instead of just zeroing in on what’s important, we get over here and pay attention to this stuff.”

Trailing 59-55, with less than a minute remaining in the contest, freshman Larryqua Hall committed a foul on the ball with just five seconds remaining on the shot clock. Tech allowed Boston College to shoot two free throws and essentially wrap up any chance it had at coming back.

“She’s a freshman. She is trying hard,” Wolfe said. “She just went in, and she got a little anxious.”

The Hokies struggled in the second half with full-court pressure from the Eagles, as they committed nine of their 12 turnovers in that period.

Tech also struggled from the free throw line, hitting just five of 12 attempts. Boston College, meanwhile, hit 14 of 18 free throws, and it appeared to pay big dividends in the game’s outcome.

“Today, we did it to ourselves by not controlling controllable things,” Wolfe said. “It was a mental breakdown at an inopportune time.”

The Hokies will hit the road on today to play nationally ranked Duke at 7 p.m.

A version of this article appeared in the Feb 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.