Hokies Pull Away Late to Defeat Georgia Tech in Physical ACC Battle (2-22-26)

By: Joey Raymond 

Headline Photo Credit: Brent Butler-LMS Network

BLACKSBURG — In a game that stayed tight for three quarters, the Virginia Tech women used a dominant fourth-quarter surge to separate from Georgia Tech, closing strong for a 62–51 victory inside Cassell Coliseum.

The contest featured momentum swings, physical play in the paint, and clutch shooting from both sides before the Hokies’ late run finally broke things open.

Fast Start for the Jackets

Georgia Tech opened the game with early confidence, jumping out to the first points on a Talayah Walker layup. Virginia Tech answered quickly behind Carys Baker, who knocked down a mid-range jumper before later drilling a key three to keep the Hokies within striking distance.

The Yellow Jackets leaned heavily on Savannah Samuel and Walker throughout the opening period. Samuel repeatedly attacked the rim and converted from the free-throw line, while Walker added a contested three that helped Georgia Tech build momentum.

Despite baskets from Kilah Freelon and Samyha Suffren, the Hokies found themselves trailing 19–12 late in the quarter before a clutch corner three from Carleigh Wenzel trimmed the deficit and kept the home side within reach.

Hokies Hang Around Before Halftime

The second quarter continued the back-and-forth tone. Georgia Tech maintained a narrow lead thanks to steady scoring from Walker and Samuel, while Ariadna Termis added a timely three to stretch the Jackets’ advantage.

Virginia Tech responded through balanced offense. Suffren knocked down a jumper, Mel Daley scored inside, and Wenzel added a long two to keep the Hokies close.

By the time the halftime horn sounded, the Jackets clung to a slim 32–31 lead, setting up a tightly contested second half.

Lead Changes in the Third

Georgia Tech struck first after the break with Walker converting at the line, but the Hokies slowly began to find rhythm offensively.

Layups from Trent and Baker, along with free throws from Suffren, helped Virginia Tech seize its first lead of the night midway through the period. The teams traded free throws and inside baskets the rest of the quarter before Wenzel delivered a buzzer-beating shot to close the frame, giving the Hokies a slight edge heading into the final ten minutes.

Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals It

Virginia Tech took full control in the fourth.

Mackie Nelson ignited the run with a three-pointer, and moments later Peterson finished a layup underneath to force a Georgia Tech timeout. Suffren followed with another strong finish inside, and Wenzel buried a deep three that pushed the Hokies’ advantage to double digits at 53–40.

Georgia Tech attempted to respond with baskets from Brianna Turnage, La’Nya Foster, and Walker, who converted an and-one opportunity to trim the deficit. But Virginia Tech answered each push with steady free-throw shooting and rebounding down the stretch.

Suffren and Nelson combined to ice the game at the line in the final minute, and the Hokies controlled possession late to run out the clock and secure the 62–51 win.

Key Takeaways

Virginia Tech’s ability to stay composed through three tight quarters proved crucial, as the Hokies dominated the fourth with defensive stops, rebounding, and efficient scoring.

Balanced production and clutch perimeter shooting from Wenzel and Nelson paired with Suffren’s interior presence ultimately made the difference, allowing the Hokies to turn a one-point halftime deficit into a comfortable conference victory.