The No. 11 seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women’s basketball and No. 6 seed Virginia Tech Hokies women’s basketball closed out the second day of action at the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament, with momentum swinging dramatically between the two teams throughout the game.
Georgia Tech entered the matchup riding the confidence of its first round victory and came out aggressive from the opening tip. The Yellow Jackets quickly established control, jumping out to a 12–3 lead midway through the first quarter. Erica Moon helped spark the early surge as Georgia Tech pieced together a 13–0 run that stretched across 5:31 of the opening period.
Virginia Tech struggled to find its rhythm offensively in the first quarter, shooting just 16.7 percent from the field and the same percentage from three point range. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech shot 46.7 percent and dictated the pace, taking a 17–7 lead into the second quarter.
The Hokies began to shift the momentum early in the second period. Virginia Tech opened the quarter with two quick baskets and forced an offensive foul on Georgia Tech’s Talyah Walker, beginning to chip away at the deficit.
After scoring just seven points in the first quarter, Virginia Tech matched that total by the 7:44 mark of the second period. The comeback continued when Leila Wells knocked down a jumper at the 4:09 mark to give the Hokies their first lead of the game at 20–19.
Virginia Tech continued to build momentum, going on a 15–2 run that spanned more than six minutes. Georgia Tech struggled to maintain possession, committing nine turnovers in the first half that Virginia Tech converted into 15 points.
The Yellow Jackets managed just six points in the second quarter, while Virginia Tech poured in 22 to flip the game heading into halftime.
By the break, the Hokies had erased an early deficit and carried a 29–23 lead into the locker room.
Virginia Tech carried that momentum into the third quarter and quickly extended its advantage. A layup from Kilah Freelon pushed the Hokies’ lead to eight early in the period.
Georgia Tech continued to battle behind Moon and Walker. Moon knocked down a pair of free throws while Walker added a tip in and later a three pointer to keep the Yellow Jackets within striking distance.
However, Virginia Tech continued to answer each push. Back to back three pointers from Mackenzie Nelson helped the Hokies maintain control midway through the quarter as Virginia Tech capitalized on transition opportunities created by turnovers.
Despite Georgia Tech’s efforts, Virginia Tech maintained a 50–46 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets made one more push early in the final period. Walker opened the quarter with a driving layup that cut the deficit to two points, bringing Georgia Tech within 50–48.
Virginia Tech responded with timely shooting. Samyha Suffren knocked down a pull up jumper to steady the Hokies before Carleigh Wenzel delivered a key three pointer that pushed the lead back to seven.
The Hokies continued to control the pace down the stretch. Freelon added another basket inside and Suffren later connected on another jumper that stretched the margin to double digits.
Georgia Tech continued to fight late, with baskets from La’Nya Foster and Walker trimming the deficit. Walker added a final basket in the closing seconds, but Virginia Tech had already built enough separation to secure the 62–54 victory and advance in the tournament.
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