Virginia Tech bounced back on Saturday afternoon with a 78-67 win over Oregon State in its second game at Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
After losing their last two games, the Hokies (6-2) took it to the Beavers (5-3), shooting 48 percent (29-for-60) and knocking down 14 of their 16 free throws (87.5%), all while allowing just a 36 percent clip (24-for-66).
Starting fast helped. Tech jumped out to an early 16-7 lead through the first 4:42, highlighted by two baskets from Mel Daley and one 3-pointer from both Mackenzie Nelson and Carys Baker. It forced Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck to call timeout.
The Hokies pushed the margin to double digits at the end of the first quarter and had a comfortable cushion heading into the halftime locker room at 44-33.
The Beavers answered, however. After Tech extended the lead to as much as 20 behind two Carleigh Wenzel free throws, 55-35, Oregon State rallied and made it a one-possession game. Seven straight points from Jenna Villa, capped off by her triple with 7:26 remaining, made it 62-59.
The Hokies escaped the danger, though. Head coach Megan Duffy called timeout to reset her team and they outscored the Beavers 16-8 the rest of the way. Baker had 12 of those points, including back-to-back dagger threes to put the game to bed, while Daley had four.
Daley finished with a game-high 24 points, 18 of which came in the first half, while Baker added 20, almost all of which came late. Wenzel joined them in double figures with 13 points and also had six assists.
Tech finished with 21 assists on 29 baskets and outrebounded Oregon State 36-35 — an impressive number considering the Beavers' 6-foot-8 center, Néné Sow, and 6-foot-5 forward Lizzy Williamson. Kilah Freelon grabbed seven boards, as did Baker, while Mackenzie Nelson chipped in nine points, six rebounds and six assists.
It was a much-needed result for the Hokies after dropping Sunday's game at James Madison and losing 64-60 to BYU on Thursday. They're back in action on Thursday evening in Cassell Coliseum vs. Florida in the ACC/SEC Challenge (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Box Score: Virginia Tech 78, Oregon State 67