Five-seeded Virginia Tech bounced by No. 12 Florida Gulf Coast in first round, 84-81

By Jack Brizendine

Staff Writer

March 18, 2022

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Aisha Sheppard heaved up a 3-point attempt from the right wing to cut five-seeded Virginia Tech’s deficit to one possession with seven seconds to play, but the try found nothing but air.

The missed shot — her last in a Hokie uniform — closed the door on a last-second comeback attempt from the Hokies (23-10) and cemented an opening weekend loss in the NCAA tournament for the second-straight year, as Florida Gulf Coast (30-2) beat Tech, 84-81, in College Park.

“None of this has really hit me yet,” Aisha Sheppard said on the loss being her final game at Virginia Tech. “I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have played here. And to be able to have my name in the record books is a plus, but the biggest thing that I'm proud of is that I received two degrees from Tech.”

Sheppard played a sizable role in the team that Tech head coach Kenny Brooks called his best since he’s been at Tech, one reason the loss hurts even more for a team with Sweet 16 aspirations.

“Obviously we're very disappointed with the outcome, but it doesn't change how I feel about these kids,” Brooks said after the game. “The effort that they gave all year, [I’m] very, very proud of what they accomplished.

“Stings right now because we had high aspirations for this group. So [it] stings right now, but I'm very, very proud of these kids and the effort they gave all year long.”

Despite being gifted a program-record 42-point performance from Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech was unable to build a lead larger than four points against No. 12 seeded-Florida Gulf Coast.

Powered by 15 triples — the most that the Hokies allowed all season — the Eagles continually stifled any momentum Tech tried to build throughout the game.

“It wasn't only that they were hitting shots,” Brooks said. “They were hitting timely shots –– the big ones –– when momentum was about to swing our way or whatever the case might be.”

FGCU's efficient shooting was facilitated by smooth ball movement, as the Eagles dished out 19 assists while only turning the ball over three times.

“We're not a disrupting team,” Brooks said. “You can look at our stats, and I'm very proud of it. We don't turn people over a lot. We guard the paint. We guard the paint and we force you to shoot a lot of mid-range shots.

“...We tried to keep them in front of us, make the others shoot the 3’s, and they stepped up and made them. So I'm not looking at the fact that we only turned them over three times as a disappointment. It wasn't part of our game plan.”

The loss is a disappointing finish for an otherwise promising team, but the season reflects a promising future for a squad that is expected to bring back four starters next season.