Traylor leads No. 9 Virginia Tech over Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kayana Traylor scored 18 points to lead No. 9 Virginia Tech over Tennessee 59-56 Sunday in a Jimmy V Women's Classic matchup.

Cayla King scored 11 points and Georgia Amoore and D'asia Gregg each had 10 for the Hokies (8-0).

The Lady Volunteers (4-5) were led by Jordan Horston with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Tamari Key scored 11.

Tennessee played without leading scorer and rebounder Rickea Jackson, who was absent because of a coach's decision.

The Hokies led by as many as 12 in the first half. Tennessee closed the gap with 9-3 run to end the half trailing, 34-30.

The Jimmy V event is named for late North Carolina State men’s coach Jimmy Valvano and raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Though off to its fast start, Virginia Tech is still looking to play its first ranked team. It likely won’t get that chance until it entertains Notre Dame on Dec. 18.

BIG PICTURE

Virginia Tech: Point guard Georgia Amoore is an integral part of the Hokie arsenal. In last week’s game with Nebraska, she collected the program’s first triple-double. She had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Tennessee: The Lady Vols played without three players — Jasmine Franklin and Jillian Hollingshead were injured and leading scorer and rebounder Rickea Jackson (17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds) was a coach's decision. No details were provided.

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech: The Hokies hit the road to start Atlantic Coast Conference competition Wednesday at Boston College.

Tennessee: The Lady Vols play Chattanooga on Tuesday in the first of three home games before a showdown at Stanford Dec. 18.

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25