Though Taylor Soule got off to a slow start in her return to Boston College with No. 7 Virginia Tech, she settled down and helped the Hokies cruise to a 73-58 win on Wednesday evening.
“It was not anything I could have expected,” Soule said on the ACC Network broadcast after the win. “I’m just proud of my team for the way they played. Coming in, they knew it was just another basketball game, but at the same time, there was a lot of emotion behind it.”
In four seasons at Boston College (7-4, 0-1 ACC), Soule was a three-time All-ACC honoree who eclipsed 1,500 points. But in the offseason, she wanted a new home, and she found it in Blacksburg. The West Lebanon, N.H. product didn’t get off to a hot start in Conte Forum, an arena she is no stranger to, but she made four straight shots after starting 0-of-3.
In a season where Soule’s energy and emotions have powered the Hokies (9-0, 1-0 ACC) past all eight of their previous opponents, she forced the issue early against the Eagles. However, after her first basket fell with nine minutes remaining in the second quarter, she didn’t miss a basket the rest of the way and pulled down five rebounds.
At its core, the game was another easy win for the Hokies in the early part of their schedule. Elizabeth Kitley turned in another double-double (22 points and 12 rebounds), her seventh of the year and 41st of her career. She’s on pace to break Regan Magarity’s program record (55 career double-doubles) by the end of the regular season.
Cayla King chipped in with 16 points, while Georgia Amoore and Kayana Traylor – who made her second consecutive start in place of Ashley Owusu who’s out indefinitely with a hand injury – added nine points each. Tech got nine points from its bench, too.
D’asia Gregg was all over the court, posting four points, seven rebounds and five assists. Taylor Geiman hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, and former Boston College forward Clara Ford got on the board with a layup just before halftime.
The defense, too, was on display as it has been all season. After Wednesday, Tech has held eight of its nine opponents to just 58 or fewer points this season (Kentucky scored 74 in the Bahamas). Brooks and his team call it the most underrated part of their game – and it holds true.
Soule, Kitley, Amoore and King have all been known throughout their careers as All-ACC caliber scorers. But what’s gotten lost throughout is the energy and passion they bring on defense. It’s shown night in and night out, and it’s what changed the narrative about Tech from last season to this season.
Boston College shot 41% from the floor, 2-of-9 (22%) from behind the arc, and had 12 assists to 12 turnovers. And the Hokies pulled away in the first quarter thanks to strong defense, which held the Eagles to 3-of-17 shooting.
Virginia Tech continues to perform well on both ends of the floor. As a result, the Hokies are no longer on the outside looking in as an ACC title and NCAA Tournament host contender. They’re in the thick of it.
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Looking at the crowd I guess BC didn’t miss her. Maybe that’s the motivation though, not that VT fills the corners of Cassell, but playing with Kitley et all means playing in front of at least a couple thousand people with a winning team in her last year. Guessing she’s having fun.
Thanks Chris! I had a good time last night watching 2 VT games (on DVR) in 2 hours. Started watching the women at 8, while the men were recording. Skip commercials and some free throws and enjoy the women’t win and then I started the men’s game a little before 9.
That’s exactly how I do it unless it’s a big game and I want to hear a little commentary.