Collegiate Times

Nia Evans (20) looks for an opening around the defense of Cassie Rochel (43).

Hokies’ women’s basketball improves their record to 3-2 in their win against the Wisconsin Badgers

After its last win at home this past Sunday, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team acquired its second win in a row, beating the unranked Wisconsin Badgers 47-38 Wednesday night.

The Hokies struggled to defend their winning record at home with multiple turnovers, but the team looked a lot better as a whole, fighting their way toward the win.

“We were trying, but were too hesitant on offense," head coach Dennis Wolff said. "Maybe for the first time since we have been together, we fought our way out of it,” 

The Hokies got off to a strong start leading the Badgers 16-7 with 8:12 left in the first half.

With 7:11 left, freshman Taijah Campbell, went up for a rebound and hit the ground hard, struggling to get up. Campbell was later escorted off the court.

Despite their distinct lead, the Hokies slowly let Wisconsin back in the game, with the Badgers even taking the lead at the end of the first half, 20-19.

Tech came out of the second half with a quick jumper from Lauren Evans to take the lead, but the Badgers responded with a lay up from Jacki Gulczynski still keeping their lead at 21-22.

“I think that Lauren deserves a lot of credit," Wolff said. "We put a lot of pressure on Lauren to guard and to do some things that she hasn’t done and she is a fighter and she fought through.” 

To bring back the momentum for the Hokies, Alyssa Fenyn hit a strong three-pointer with 8:33 left in the game, which is all they needed to help the Hokies move along to secure the win.

“I think at that point, coach had called a timeout and he was just telling us to stay aggressive on offense, make decisions, take care of the ball,” said Monet Tellier, guard.

When the Hokies played Appalachian State on Nov. 14, Tech was shooting and making three-point shots all game, but the Hokies seemed to lack such accuracy against the Badgers.

“What I was saying to them at one of the time outs midway through the second half is that we have been at that juncture a number of time since we have all been together where, for a lack of a better way to put it, (we're) stuck in mud,” Wolff said.

Picking up the pace in the second half, Tech finished with 17-48 in field goals and 11-15 in free throws. Tellier led Tech with 19 points ultimately dominating the court for the Hokie win.

The Hokies will look for another win against the Longwood Lancers this Saturday at Cassell Coliseum.

A version of this article appeared in the Nov 29 issue of the Collegiate Times.