Regan Magarity scored a career-high 28 points to carry Virginia Tech to a 68-42 non-conference win over New River Valley rival Radford on Sunday afternoon at Carilion Clinic Court.
The Hokies won their second straight game and moved to 7-2 on the season, and they also beat Radford for the eighth straight time. The Highlanders fell to 3-2 on the season.
“We have to get better,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said. “It’s all a process when you try to invent yourself, and then a couple of games in, you have to try to re-invent yourself. So, it’s going to be an ongoing process the whole time. We’re up for the challenge. It’s good to get this win. It’s tough when you’re playing a rivalry game like this … we’re very fortunate to come away with a win.”
Tech led by just six at halftime, but led by 16 after three periods because of a combination of stingy defense and cold shooting by the Highlander. The Hokies held the Highlanders to just three baskets in the third period, as Radford hit just 3 of 14 from the floor.
Magarity connected on 11 of 22 from the floor for the game, including a couple of 3-pointers, and she also grabbed 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
“I think it’s just staying aggressive,” Magarity said. “My teammates rely on me getting rebounds, so I know have to step up and do that, and the coaches are on me, ‘Keep attacking, keep shooting.’ So I think just applying what we work one.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told a kid during the course of a game, ‘Thank you for your effort, your energy and what you’re bringing,’” Brooks said. “But we definitely made sure we praised her at the end. So it was a really good game for her. If she can get 28 and 12 every night, sign me up.”
Chanette Hicks added 12 points for Tech, which shot just 36.1 percent from the floor. Taylor Emery scored 10, and Michelle Berry grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds
Janayla White paced the Highlanders with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Radford shot just 27.9 percent
The Hokies have held four of their opponents to less than 35 percent shooting from the floor – Detroit Mercy, Auburn, Illinois and Radford. They are 4-0 in those games.
Tech went 11 of 14 from the free-throw line – its fewest makes and attempts this season. The Hokies’ 54 rebounds were their most in a game since grabbing 59 against Clemson in a 63-54 overtime loss on Jan. 2, 2015.
The Hokies have hit at least five 3-pointers in 17 straight games dating back to last season.
Magarity’s 11 field goals were just three shy of the arena record (Renee Dennis vs. Memphis, Feb. 7, 1987).
Magarity has scored in double figures in seven straight games and eight of nine games this season.
Tech is now 7-2 when Magarity scored 20 points or more in her career. Magarity’s double-double marked the 20th of her career.
Hicks finished with three steals against Radford and now needs just four more to become the school’s all-time leader in that category (252, Taiqua Brittingham, 1981-85).K
Kendyl Brooks’ 3-pointer with 1:16 remaining extended her streak of hitting at least one 3-pointer in 17 straight games.
–VT Athletics
