BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 07: Virginia Tech Hokies center Elizabeth Kitley (33) smiles as she runs down the court after hitting the winning shot during a college basketball game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Virginia Tech Hokies on January 7, 2024 at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, VA.

Kitley's dominant 1st half propels No. 11 Virginia Tech to blowout win over Miami

The Associated Press
2 years ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley matched her season high with 31 points, the eighth 30-point game of her career, and No. 11 Virginia Tech rolled to a 76-47 win over Miami on Thursday night for its eighth-straight victory.

Coming off a 63-62 win over No. 3 North Carolina State when Kitley hit a last-second basket, she picked up where she left off. Kitley had 13 of the Hokies' 14 points in the first quarter and had 23 at the half when they took a 40-24 lead.

Georgia Amoore had 16 points and six assists for the Hokies (13-2, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), whose last loss to an unranked team was at Miami last season. Matilda Ekh added 12 points on four 3-pointers. Kitley had 11 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season and 68th of her career.

Shayeann Day-Wilson had 19 points for the Hurricanes (11-4, 1-3) and Ja'Leah Williams had 10 points and eight rebounds.

The game was tied at 14 after one quarter with Kitley scoring Virginia Tech's last 13 points. She was 4 of 7, her teammates were 0 for 12.

Kitley scored the Hokies' first four points of the second quarter before reserve Olivia Summiel got the first non-Kitley basket at 7:47.

After a Miami basket, Kitley started a 15-0 run with consecutive layups. Amoore had a three-point play and Ekh closed with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 35-20 lead.

Kitley's jumper, giving her 23 points, made it 40-24 at the half.

The Hokies missed their first nine 3s but made three straight down the stretch of the second quarter. In outscoring the Hurricanes 26-10 in the second quarter, Virginia Tech was 11 of 17, 3 of 5 from long range while Miami was 5 of 12 and 0 of 5 with five turnovers.

Kitley opened the second half with her second 3-pointer of the season and eighth of her career and Ekh followed with a triple for a 46-24 lead and the rout was on.

Virginia Tech plays at No. 21 Florida State on Sunday when Miami goes to No. 18 Notre Dame.

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