Virginia Tech senior guard Ashley Owusu is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a broken pinkie finger, coach Kenny Brooks told ESPN on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Owusu broke the finger during the first quarter of Virginia Tech’s game against Nebraska on Dec. 1.
- The program expects her to return midway through the ACC slate, per ESPN.
- Owusu, a transfer from Maryland, is averaging 10.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists across seven games this season.
- The No. 6 Hokies are 10-0 this season.
Impact of Owusu’s absence
The Hokies have remained undefeated in Owusu’s absence, collecting convincing wins over Nebraska, Boston College and UNC Asheville in the process, but a close call against Tennessee demonstrated where they might miss their star shooting guard. Kayana Traylor, who replaced Owusu in the starting five, is a career 30.4 percent shooter from 3-point range, and that number has fallen to 26.7 percent this season. That’s not the type of spacing Virginia Tech wants around All-American Elizabeth Kitley in the middle. — Merchant
Who could step up?
A big test immediately awaits the Hokies as they host No. 5 Notre Dame this weekend, arguably their toughest opponent since the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, when they lost to
