ATLANTA — In an exhilarating matchup Thursday night, Virginia Tech secured a surprising victory over No. 13 Georgia Tech, handing them their first defeat of the season with a final score of 105-94. Lani White played a pivotal role, scoring six of her total 20 points during the second overtime, while teammates Carleigh Wenzel and Rose Micheaux both delivered standout performances with double-doubles.
The game featured a thrilling conclusion in regulation when Georgia Tech tallied the last four points, tying the score at 80. With time winding down, Rusne Augustinaite sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer, pushing the contest into overtime with the score knotted at 92. However, Virginia Tech took charge in the second overtime, quickly establishing an early lead.
As the second extra period began, White struck first with back-to-back baskets, assisted by Wenzel. The Hokies surged ahead by scoring the first eight points, while Georgia Tech struggled, missing all six of their attempts and converting only two of four free throws.
Wenzel led the Hokies with an impressive performance, netting 24 points along with a career-high 10 assists. Micheaux contributed significantly as well, finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Additional support came from Carys Baker and Matilda Ekh, both of whom added 17 points to the scoreboard.
For Georgia Tech, Kara Dunn turned in an outstanding individual performance, scoring 33 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Teammate Tonie Morgan also had a notable game, contributing a career-high of 28 points. The Yellow Jackets faced a setback when standout freshman Dani Carnegie, who had been crucial in previous games, played just six minutes and managed only two points due to an injury.
Georgia Tech had previously showcased a potent offensive attack, winning 13 games by decisive margins while limiting opponents to an average of just 57 points per game. Early in the contest, Wenzel’s three three-pointers helped establish a 26-23 lead for the Hokies by the end of the first quarter. However, Dunn’s scorching performance in the second quarter, where she hit three three-pointers, propelled the Yellow Jackets to a 44-39 halftime lead.
The intensity continued into the third quarter, with both teams scoring 24 points each. Virginia Tech struggled with their shooting, managing only 35%, but they excelled at the free-throw line, making 7 of 8 attempts. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, put up a solid 53% shooting accuracy, heading into the fourth quarter with a slight 66-61 advantage.
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech is set to host Wake Forest on Sunday, while Georgia Tech will travel to Louisville for their next matchup.
