BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team resumed play after Thanksgiving with the short end of a 55-33 decision at Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon in non-conference road action.
PC moves to 1-5 on the year and returns home to host Western Carolina on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Virginia Tech improves to 6-1.
After trailing 31-11 at the half, PC nearly matched the Hokies in second half scoring (24 to 22) and held the home side to its lowest point total of the season with 31.8 percent shooting (21-for-66).
Keyonna Allen (Forest Park, Ga.) led the Blue Hose with nine points while Megan Schaaf (Ellicott City, Md.) paced PC on the boards for the second time in her career, with five.
PC regrouped after halftime and limited the Hokies in several areas. The Blue Hose forced 10 Virginia Tech turnovers—helped by five steals—and did not allow a three-pointer on eight shots.
The Hokies scored first to start the second half but the Blue Hose responded with 11 straight points from Sherece Smith (Clemson, S.C.), Allen, Rebecca Walker (Snellville, Ga.) and Kaycie Reffner (Altoona, Pa.).
The 11-0 run lasted over seven minutes as PC smothered the Hokies on defense.
Virginia Tech eventually pulled away down the stretch but nine different Blue Hose scored in the second half. Katelyn Grisillo (Charleston, S.C.) entered the game and drained a floater in the lane before dishing a slick pass to Aianna Kelly (Newport News, Va.) under the basket for a score. Taryn Richard (Palm City, Fla.) also hit a free throw to get on the scoresheet.
Virginia Tech came out strong to start the game as the Blue Hose looked for their shots to fall. Allen led the squad with four points in the opening half while Schaaf hauled in four rebounds before the break.
The Hokies started the game on a 10-0 run before Allen converted a bucket inside. Kasey Hobbie (Spring Lake, N.J.) hit a jumper as well before Schaaf spun around her defender in the paint for a score to make it 15-7. PC held the Hokies for nearly four minutes of action but could not take advantage on the offensive end.
The Blue Hose limited Virginia Tech to a below-average 30.6 percent field goal percentage in the first half and forced 13 misses on 17 three-point attempts.
Smith started the game for the Blue Hose, making her first start since November 28, 2012. The senior picked up two points on her only shot in 16 minutes to go along with a block and a rebound.
