Takeaways from Tech's 64-44 win at Chattanooga

Hokies have quick turnaround with tip at Monmouth looming Tuesday night

December 11, 2017

On a day where Chanette Hicks set the all-time program mark for steals in a career, head coach Kenny Brooks commended the entire Virginia Tech roster on its collective commitment to the defensive end of the floor.

“I thought we were doing a tremendous job defensively,” Brooks said. “I thought the kids really locked in and the amount of communication we had on the defensive end and the way that we were able to take away things from them.”

Sunday afternoon, Tech held Chattanooga to just 31.3 percent shooting from the field and only 29.4 percent from beyond the arc, a big part the Mocs’ offense.

The win advanced the Hokies to 9-2 on the year and a perfect 2-0 on the road, with another test slated for Tuesday night.

“To beat a team like that as handedly as we did on their home court is a major accomplishment,” Brooks said. “It was a grind, but I really felt like we were in control of the basketball game throughout. It’s one of those wins where you put it into the books and you felt like you got better.”

Kendyl Brooks goes for season-high – Sophomore guard Kendyl Brooks recorded 14 points Sunday afternoon, her best mark since pouring in 23 against Boston College during her freshman season. She knocked down 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, but also stepped inside hitting a jumper in the first quarter.

Brooks has also shown a willingness to compete for rebounds of late. In her last four games, she has averaged 4.3 rebounds, while her career average is 2.0. In back-to-back games against Radford and Maryland Eastern Shore, she recorded five rebounds.

Michelle Berry inserted into starting lineup – Forward Michelle Berry earned the first start of her Virginia Tech career against the Mocs, after turning in quality performances over the last several weeks. In place of Alexis Jean, the redshirt sophomore has seen an increased workload over the last four games, averaging 8.0 points and 10.7 rebounds, while playing 27.2 minutes per game.

Sunday, Berry had a quietly efficient game, scoring seven points, pulling down nine rebounds and dishing out three assists.

Tech getting it done in the paint – The Hokies outscored the Mocs 30-14 inside the painted area on Sunday, the eighth time this season that Tech has had the edge in that category. Tech also owned a plus eleven advantage on the boards. Regan Magarity pulled down 10 and Berry tallied nine, while Taylor Emery also contributed five and four other players in maroon had three.

The Hokies are set for a 7 p.m. tip from OceanFirst Bank Arena, the home of the Monmouth Hawks on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The game will be streamed on ESPN3.

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