Hokies Fall at the Hands of the Seminoles

Jay Winters

December 31, 2020

BLACKSBURG, Va. - After an extended two-week break from action, Virginia Tech was handed its second straight loss by Florida State, falling 73-63 in Blacksburg.

It was a game of role reversals as FSU, who averaged 25% from beyond the arc entering the game, shot a season high 62% (10/16), while Virginia Tech, who averaged 40%, shot 31% (9/29) from three.

“Florida State did a really good job hitting shots,” Tech guard Aisha Sheppard said. “Obviously we went over scouting, and coming into this game they weren’t shooting that well, but it was one of those games where their shooters got hot and their players made some shots.”

The hot shooting saw four of Florida State’s starters score in double figures, led by Sammie Puisis and Morgan Jones, who each had 15 points and shot a combined six of 10 from three.

Tech head coach Kenny Brooks credited Florida State’s shooting, but said defense is what the Hokies need to work on the most.

“We’re getting hit with a lot of ball screens, and we’re not handling them properly,” Brooks said. “It’s something we’ve talked about and worked on, but they have to carry it over, and we have to be much better at it.”

FSU also led the Hokies in two key stats: the Seminoles forced 20 Tech turnovers and knocked down 21 of 22 free throws, compared to the Hokies eight of nine.

Along with the 20 turnovers, the Hokies struggled from everywhere on the court, as the team shot just 39% from the floor, a season low.

“They [Florida State] played their scout very well,” Brooks said. “They did a good job of making us go east-west opposed to north-south, and they did a really good job of doubling. Credit them, I thought they had a game plan and executed it.”

Outside of a lopsided 22 to nine third quarter in favor of FSU, the Hokies played the Seminoles fairly tight.

Virginia Tech had a two-point lead heading into the second quarter, and extended that lead to six before Florida State ended the half on a 13-4 run, giving the Noles a 37-31 lead going into halftime.

Following the 22 to nine run in the third, the Hokies entered the fourth quarter down 40-59, and despite a 20-5 run by the Hokies, it was too little too late.

An Aisha Sheppard three cut the FSU lead to 63-69 with 36 seconds left, but free throws from Florida State and empty possessions by the Hokies saw the game finish 63-73.

Elizabeth Kitley posted her sixth double-double of the year with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Aisha Sheppard led all players with 21 points.

Azana Baines, who was declared eligible by the ACC only a couple of days before the game, was a bright spot for the Hokies as she contributed the only bench points with nine, along with four rebounds and three assists.

“She’s an aggressive, strong, downhill driver,” Brooks said on Baines. “We have a lot of shooters and kids who play east-west, and Azana plays north-south. She’s going to add something to us that I’m excited about, and we just have to get used to it.”

Virginia Tech moves to 6-2 on the year and 1-2 in the ACC, while Florida State moves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the ACC.

Virginia Tech was scheduled to play Duke on January 3rd, but after the Blue Devils cancelled their season, Tech now has third-ranked NC State in Cassell next Thursday at 8:00 p.m.