Hokies Drop UNC in OT, Advance to Semifinals

GREENSBORO, NC – The fifth-seeded and 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (23-8 overall and 13-5 ACC) and the fourth-seeded and 16th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (23-6 overall and 13-5 ACC) had a nice battle that went into overtime in the 2022 ACC Tournament Quarterfinals.

However, thanks to 22 points from Sophomore Guard Georgia Amoore (Ballarat, Victoria, Australia) and Senior Guard Aisha Sheppard (Alexandria, VA), the Hokies outlasted the Tar Heels by the score of 87-80. It was a tight game throughout the contest with eleven lead changes during the 2nd Half and OT.

UNC Sophomore Guard Kennedy Todd-Williams (Jacksonville, NC) opened the game for a layup, assisted by fellow Sophomore Guard Alyssa Ustby (Rochester, MN) at the 9:43 mark in the 1st Quarter. Afterward, Utsby made another assist, but this time to Sophomore Forward Anya Poole (Raleigh, NC), for a 4-0 lead at 9:19.

Junior Center, Elizabeth Kitley (Summerfield, NC), the ACC women’s Player of the Year, scored her first two of six points – with a jumper being assisted from Senior Guard Kayana Traylor (Martinsville, IN), as the first basket for Virginia Tech at the 8:09 mark. Kitley only played eleven minutes before injuring her shoulder, which possibly rules her out for the remaining of the Tournament.

For the next 25 seconds, the Hokies and the Heels traded baskets, thanks to baskets from Virginia Tech’s Sheppard and Kitley and UNC’s Ustby. The Hokies pulled within six at the conclusion of the 1st Quarter, thanks to two free throws from Graduate Guard/Forward Emily Lytle (Memphis, TN).

The Tar Heels lead at the Half, by the score of 37-31.

The Hokies didn’t take their first lead until 1:44 of the 3rd quarter when Traylor hit a three-pointer – assisted from Sheppard, as they were out front 46-45. Sheppard then followed it up with a layup. At the conclusion of the 3rd quarter, the Hokies lead 50-48, thanks to two free throws by Senior Forward D’Asia Gregg (Florence, SC)

In the 4th quarter, UNC opened it by the score of 50-49, thanks to a free throw by Poole. Georgia Amoore of VT followed it up with a free throw, as the Hokies lead 52-49, with 7:45 remaining. It was another tight period, where VT’s Sheppard made three consecutive free throws to tie the game at 66, with 36 seconds remaining. Following this, Virginia Tech’s Amoore made a layup and a free throw, then Redshirt Junior Eva Hodgson hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 69, to take it into overtime.

During the Overtime session, it saw Virginia Tech dominate that half, thanks to free throws from Sheppard, Amoore, and Traylor.

For North Carolina, they’re likely to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid. On the other hand, Virginia Tech plays either the winner of top-seeded North Carolina State or the ninth-seeded Florida State Seminoles in the ACC Tournament at Greensboro, NC at Noon, tomorrow.