Hokies set for first road contest of the season

Tech seeking third straight win in Big Ten/ACC

November 29, 2017

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. as a part of the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Tech has won its past two Challenge games, including a 76-67 victory over Nebraska in Cassell Coliseum last season.

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: November 30, 2017 / 8 p.m. EST
Opponent: Illinois University
Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network
TV/Internet: BTN Plus
Live Stats: HokieSports.com

The Hokies return to the court after playing three games in three days at the Paradise Jam in Melbourne, Florida last week. Tech won its opening game against Drexel 79-67, before falling to Butler and eleventh-ranked West Virginia. Tech took home second place in the Island Division.

Taylor Emery earned All-Tournament team honors, after averaging 17.3 points, including 25 points in the win over Drexel. In that game, she had a 15-point third quarter, sparking the Hokies. Against Butler, Emery scored 20 points for the fifth time in six games, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

Rachel Camp recorded her first start of the season against West Virginia and responded by tallying the fifth double-double of her career with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Fighting Illini: Illinois, 5-3 on the season, last competed at the New Mexico Thanksgiving Tournament hosted by the University of New Mexico. While in Albuquerque, the Illini went 2-1, defeating UC Irvine and Wichita State, before falling to the Lobos.

Sophomore guard Brandi Beasley leads two players averaging double figures at 13.0 points per game, while Alex Whittinger, also a guard averages 12.9.

Illinois is 3-1 at home inside the State Farm Center this season.

The series: The Hokies and Illini have only met once previously during the 1991 season. Illinois won a 68-66 game played as a part of the Coors Classic in Boulder, Colorado.

Notes on the Challenge: The ACC has won seven Challenge titles since its inception in 2007, with an overall record of 71-51.

Virginia Tech in the Challenge: The Hokies are 4-6 all-time in the competition, owning back-to back victories for the first time. Below is a history of Virginia Tech in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge

2016: W, 76-67 vs Nebraska
2015: W, 64-59 at Penn State
2014: L, 45-70 vs Northwestern
2013: L, 65-77 at Indiana
2012: W, 47-38 vs Wisconsin
2011: L, 47-58 at Iowa
2010: L, 58-63 at Minnesota
2009: L, 51-71 vs Michigan
2008: L, 52-61 at Wisconsin
2007: W, 68-62 vs Minnesota

Up next: The Hokies are back on Carilion Clinic Court on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. when they take on New River Valley rival Radford.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @HokiesWBB