Hokies' late run falls short against No. 4 NC State, 51-45

By Jack Brizendine

Staff Writer

January 23, 2022

With 90 ticks left on the clock in regulation, No. 4 NC State’s former first-team All-American center Elissa Cunane missed a layup that was quickly snagged by Virginia Tech’s Emily Lytle. The Virginia Tech forward tossed the ball to Georgia Amoore, and the sophomore point guard hurried up the court, initiating a potential game-tying possession.

The Hokies trailed by 14 points only four minutes prior, but a 14-2 run gave the Hokies a shot at a top-five conference upset on the road.

Then it all came crashing down.

A pass to Kayana Taylor at the top of the key was intercepted by Jakia Brown-Turner, who sprinted down the court and lofted up a quick layup to build the Wolfpack lead back to four.

The turn of events took the energy out of Kenny Brooks' squad and “Uncle Mo’,” as he so often does, switched sides.Brown-Turner scored again in the final minute to ice the game as Virginia Tech (14-5, 6-2 ACC) came up short against NC State (18-2, 9-0 ACC), 51-45.

Tech got off to an admirable start in the contest, leading by three at the end of the first quarter after netting three triples, all while holding State’s dynamic offense to only 10 points.

The Hokies’ 13-point output over the first 10 minutes was as good as it would get for them until the fourth quarter, as VT failed to crack double-digit points in both the second (seven) and third quarters (five).

Virginia Tech shot an abysmal 5-of-31 (16.1%) during the middle twenty minutes, seemingly crippingling any chance at victory as the Hokies entered the fourth quarter trailing 38-25.

Tech managed to out-score NC State in the fourth quarter, 20-13, matching its entire first half point total, but Brown-Turner’s pair of late scores vaulted the Wolfpack on top.

The Hokies’ loss comes as only the second in their last nine games, with the only other being then-No. 19 North Carolina.

The defeat exemplifies everything that Kenny Brooks has said time and time again this season regarding what his team needs to do to be at its best: be efficient from behind the arc and get to the free throw line often.

The Hokies only bucketed only seven triples in the game and four shots from the charity stripe.

The 3-point and free-throw lines are the two primary avenues the team wants and needs to score from, especially as Elizabeth Kitley faces more formidable matchups, such as Cunane.

Virginia Tech will look to get back in the win column on Thursday night in Charlottesville against Virginia (3-12, 0-5 ACC), who the Hokies beat 69-52 on Jan. 18 at Cassell Coliseum.