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Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball: Jackets Lose Heartbreaker to Virginia Tech

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: A general view of basketballs before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: A general view of basketballs before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball team fell to Virginia Tech on Thursday night in overtime, a tough start to an important four-game stretch.

The Georgia Tech women started an important four-game stretch of games on Thursday night against Virginia Tech. The Jackets (16-9, 7-7) looked for a huge win against a quality conference foe after struggling for much of the last few weeks. The Hokies (18-6, 8-5) however had other plans as they gave the Yellow Jackets another heartbreaking loss.

For the Jackets the loss continues a tough trend of second half struggles. Often during the last few weeks with their struggles, the Jackets would have quality first half performances but would either struggle offensively or defensively in the second half and eventually end up with the loss. Thursday night against Virginia Tech was no different for the Jackets.

In the first half, the Jackets offense was solid and their defense was playing at a decent level. After finding themselves up by just a mere point in the first quarter, the Jackets used a quality second quarter performance on both sides of the court to grab a solid halftime lead. In the second quarter, the Jackets outscored the Hokies 14-9, leading the Hokies 26-20.

Francesca Pan and Kierra Fletcher were the Jackets offensive leaders for the game both putting in great performances. Pan, led all scorers with 19-points in the game, shooting 7-for-18 from the floor and 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Fletcher provided 17-points of her own, shooting an efficient 8-for-16. She also provided 13-rebounds in the game, giving herself a double-double in the game.

Outside of Pan and Fletcher, the Yellow Jackets starters provided just 15 points. The bench wasn’t much better, scoring 10-points in 54 minutes of work. Overall, the Jackets as a team shot pretty well, 44.1% from the field and 75% from the line. Both numbers were better than the Hokies 38.1% and 58.3%.

The one place the Hokies had the Jackets number? From beyond the arch. The Jackets for the game, shot just 3-for-10 from three, the Hokies, however, were much more willing with their shot selection, shooting 20 attempts for the game. The extra 10 attempts were more than enough to outdo the Jackets performance, going 9-for-20. In the end, the six extra three-pointers including one in the fourth quarter that tied the game and helped send it to overtime. They also grabbed one in overtime, helping extending their four-point lead at the time.

The loss to Virginia Tech on Thursday night is the Jackets sixth in their last eight games after starting the season red hot at 14-. The Jackets won’t have it easy in their next contest either as they’ll take on the No.4 NC State Wolfpack on Sunday night.