Virginia Tech Hokies and Syracuse Orange: A High-Scoring Affair at Cassell Coliseum

In a closely contested matchup at Cassell Coliseum, the Virginia Tech Hokies faced off against the Syracuse Orange in a game that showcased both teams' offensive capabilities. The Hokies, despite a valiant effort, fell short with a final score of 87-93. This result moves their season record to an even split, while the Orange improved theirs significantly.

Game Highlights

The game was characterized by its high pace and scoring efficiency from both sides. The Hokies demonstrated their strength inside the paint with 48 points coming from close-range efforts, underscoring their strategic focus on leveraging physical play and interior scoring. Their field goal percentage stood at 51 percent from all attempts and an impressive 83 percent from the free-throw line, highlighting their accuracy under pressure.

Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker were standout performers for the Hokies. Wenzel's contribution was multifaceted; she not only led her team in scoring with 24 points but also dished out 10 assists, showcasing her dual-threat capability as both scorer and playmaker. Baker matched Wenzel's point tally while grabbing nine rebounds, one steal, and maintaining a perfect record from the free-throw line.

On defense, Virginia Tech managed to secure five steals over the course of the game but struggled to contain Syracuse's potent offense which shot at an overall rate of 60 percent from the field.

Opposition Performance

Syracuse Orange came prepared to exploit every opportunity with remarkable shooting accuracy across all quarters. Their three-point shooting was particularly effective; hitting 57 percent of shots attempted beyond the arc contributed significantly to their victory. The team also excelled in distributing the ball as evidenced by their total of 24 assists.

Defensively, Syracuse managed five blocks and three steals but it was their offensive prowess that truly set them apart in this encounter.

Looking Ahead

The Virginia Tech Hokies will look to bounce back when they travel to Charlottesville for an eagerly anticipated showdown against Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9th at 12:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live as both teams vie for supremacy in what promises to be another exciting chapter in this storied rivalry.

Share this article if you're excited about what's next for Virginia Tech!