Live Score Updates for Virginia Tech Women's Basketball vs. Gardner-Webb

The Hokies look to start 3-0 for the first time in the Duffy era.

Mar 9, 2024; Greensboro, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Carleigh Wenzel (1) brings the ball up court in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-Imagn Images | David Yeazell-Imagn Images

The Hokies took down Gardner-Webb, 87-51, at home on Thursday night. Read below for a game thread, organized in reverse chronological order.

FINAL | Virginia Tech 87, Gardner-Webb 51

The Hokies finished the game shooting 29-78 (37.2%) from the field; however, an offensive rebounding masterclass (30 O-boards), led by Kilah Freelon (18 total rebounds) kept Tech right on the offensive side of the court. Five Hokies (Suffren, Daley, Freelon, Wenzel and Baker) compiled double-digit scoring.

Q4 2:30 | Virginia Tech 86, Gardner-Webb 45

Freshman Spela Brecelj, on her first NCAA shot, drains her look from beyond the arc, erupting Cassell; the Hokies' lead has now surpassed 40 points.

Q4 4:01 | Virginia Tech 81, Gardner-Webb 43

Sophie Swanson converted her first two shots from the free-throw line, the 25th from the stripe for the Hokies tonight, a staggering 19 more than the Runnin’ Bulldogs have attempted. Tech has not shied away from being physical tonight.

Q4 5:53 | Virginia Tech 76, Gardner-Webb 41

Samyha Suffren leads the squad with 17 total points on 50% scoring efficiency from the field (6-12) as Tech is up to its largest lead of the contest. 

Q4 6:40 | Virginia Tech 74, Gardner-Webb 41

Kilah Freelon makes her way to the charity stripe and goes two for two, after collecting her own offensive rebound, tallying her way up to 18 in the contest, three boards shy of tying the school record of 21 in a contest, most recently done by Liz Kitley in 2021 against Wake Forest.

Q4 9:15 | Virginia Tech 72, Gardner-Webb 40

Tech has found its rhythm from the floor, netting more consistent finishes both inside and outside of the arc. Leila Wells knocks down the Hokies first shot of the quarter from behind the stripe to tally her first points of the contest.

END OF Q3 | Virginia Tech 69, Gardner-Webb 40

Gardner-Webb puts together its best offensive quarter with 17 points, but Virginia Tech matched it with its own strongest frame, putting up 29. The Hokies have four players with double-digit scoring.

Q3 3:18 | Virginia Tech 59, Gardner-Webb 32

Samyha Suffren gets it inside to Kilah Freelon who gets fouled on the shot. She is able to make 1 of 2 from the charity stripe. Freelon is up to 15 rebounds on the day, a new career high for her. A few possessions later, Mackie Nelson has an impressive half court pass to Freelon below the basket, who easily lays it in.

Q3 4:56 | Virginia Tech 56, Gardner-Webb 32

Virginia Tech with excellent ball movement ends with a made corner three by Samyha Suffren. She leads the team in scoring with 15 points in just 15 minutes of play. She is shooting 5-10 from the field.

Q3 7:50 | Virginia Tech 46, Gardner-Webb 28

Carys Baker has all six of the Hokies second half points. Tech is getting a lot of second-chance opportunities as the Hokies lead 19-7 in offensive rebounds.

Q3 9:26 | Virginia Tech 40, Gardner-Webb 26

The Hokies get the ball to start the third quarter, and Carys Baker gets a good look at a corner three, but cannot connect. Sara Menendez responds with a three pointer of her own to start the scoring for the second half.

END OF H1 | Virginia Tech 40, Gardner-Webb 23

Tech has pushed the pace heavily, finding quick shots all contest. Wenzel and Suffren lead the scoring with 11. Offensive rebounding has allowed the Hokies to control possessions.

Q2 0:45 | Virginia Tech 37, Gardner-Webb 23

Samyha Suffren nails a corner three for her eleventh point of the contest, her third-career three. Suffren is just the second Hokie tonight to hit from three following the two made from Wenzel.

Q2 3:13 | Virginia Tech 32, Gardner-Webb 16

Mel Daley grabs her first rebound, an offensive rebound, which has been a very common theme for Virginia Tech tonight, to set up Wenzel for the shot beyond the arc.

Q2 4:42 | Virginia Tech 29, Gardner-Webb 13

Wenzel nets her first shot from behind the stripe (1-for-4) to put Virginia Tech up by 16. She leads the squad currently with eight points scored on a 2-7 night from the field so far.

Q2 6:32 | Virginia Tech 24, Gardner-Webb 10

Freelon has tied her career high in rebounds (11) just 13 minutes into the contest, with a majority being off the offensive glass. This has kept the Hokies' offense down on offense even with the quick pace of shooting.

Q2 8:36 | Virginia Tech 22, Gardner-Webb 8

The first basket for Tech since 1:52 in the first connects with a 13 foot jumper from Kilah Freelon. The run for the Hokies is now extended to 15-0.

END OF Q1 | Virginia Tech 20, Gardner-Webb 8

After a hot start for Gardner-Webb, it was held scoreless for the final six minutes of the first quarter as Virginia Tech went on a 13-0 run to end the quarter. The Hokies are shooting 9-for-21 from the field (42.9%). Suffren leads the team with six points.

Q1 1:52 | Virginia Tech 20, Gardner-Webb 8

Samyha Suffren is causing havoc on both ends of the floor. She causes a turnover which allows Carleigh Wenzel to get a fastbreak and complete an and-one opportunity.

Q1 2:47 | Virginia Tech 15, Gardner-Webb 8

After a scoring drought for a couple minutes for both teams, Kayl Petersen puts back a missed three point attempt by Carys Baker. Samyha Suffren gets the steal on the other end of the floor and finishes on the other end with the layup. Timeout Runnin’ Bulldogs.

Q1 5:48 | Virginia Tech 9, Gardner-Webb 8

Garnder-Webb shooting 2-3 from behind the arc early on in the contest.  Samyha Suffren answers with the quick layup on the other end. Much better start to the game offensively compared to Sunday’s contest against Loyola MD.

Q1 7:20 | Virginia Tech 5, Gardner-Webb 5

Mel Daley with four of the first five points for the Hokies after an easy layup with the assist from Mackie Nelson.

Q1 9:10 | Virginia Tech 1, Gardner-Webb 0

Kilah Freelon gets the scoring started after being fouled by Amira Ofunniyin. She misses the first, but drains the second.

Q1 START | Virginia Tech 0, Gardner-Webb 0

Tipoff goes out of bounds, Hokies ball, and the game is officially underway.

Pre-Game:

The Hokies' starting five tonight is Kilah Freelon, Carleigh Wenzel, Mackenzie Nelson, Carys Baker, and Mel Daley.