Hokies Win Second Straight Game vs. North Carolina

Topher Wagner

February 1, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Coming off an exhilarating, program-defining win over No. 2 ranked NC State, the Virginia Tech Hokies prevailed in a tight game against North Carolina, winning 73-69 behind another phenomenal performance from star Elizabeth Kitley.

The matchup against UNC on a snowy, Sunday afternoon could’ve easily been a let down for Virginia Tech after their huge win, instead Kenny Brooks’ squad played great team basketball as they pulled away late to defeat a scrappy Tar Heels team. Tech’s second win in a row marks the first winning streak since mid-December and could potentially be a turning point in the second half of the season.

“Really good win for us, it wasn't always perfect, but I thought we did a really good job of fighting through some of the lulls and stretches that we had,” Brooks said after the win. “Kind of wondered if there was a little bit of a hangover from Thursday, but in this league, you can’t do that. Very proud of the kids, it’s a good win and I think it’ll go a long way for us.”

Throughout much of this contest, the Hokies executed their strategy that they’ve relied on all season long: a consistent three-point attack, and a heavy dosage of the sophomore star Kitley.

In a performance that the Hokie faithful in Blacksburg have long been accustomed to over the past two seasons, Kitley pwaslayed fantastic, putting up 27 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Her 11 points in the fourth quarter paced all players as the back and forth battle between Kitley and North Carolina leading scorer Janelle Bailey was a key matchup.

“Our philosophy is to go inside, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing,” Brooks said. “I don’t care if we’re playing the 76ers and it’s Joel Embiid inside, we’re still going to go inside because we feel like we have an advantage with Liz [Kitley] most games if not all games. I think they’ve gone against each other four times now, and I think every game Bailey has been in foul trouble because Liz is a mobile center. She moves and puts a lot of pressure on Bailey and tonight was no different.”

The game started out similar to many Hokies’ games this year, as Virginia Tech jumped out to an early 9-0 lead after some hot shooting from Kitley and fellow star Aisha Sheppard. It turned out to be Tech’s largest lead of the game as the Tar Heels rallied back with a combination of scoring from Bailey in the post and solid outside shooting from Czech graduate transfer Petra Holesinska.

Unfortunately for North Carolina, despite trimming the deficit to two points by the end of the frame, Bailey also picked up two fouls and was forced to sit for the remainder of the first half.

Despite being without its top scorer for the entirety of the second quarter, North Carolina’s play improved. Holesinska and guard Deja Kelly anchored the Tar Heels’ perimeter shooting while freshman Kennedy Todd-Williams helped defend Kitley in the paint.

North Carolina started to settle in on defense as constant double teams down low forced Kitley to turn the ball over three times in the second quarter, which allowed the Tar Heels to get back in the game.

“I was missing a lot of shots and turning the ball over in the first half and I just didn’tcan't let that affect me in the second half,” Kitley said. “When I had an open shot I still took it and that’s what I have to do for the team.”

By the start of the third quarter, it was clear that North Carolina had started to figure out the Hokies’ offense as Virginia Tech put up just three points in the first five minutes with Sheppard and Kitley going 0-for-6 from the field. Bailey being back in the game didn’t hurt either, as an 8-0 run gave UNC their first lead of the night. However, much like they’ve done all year, with their backs against the wall, the Hokies found a way to rally strong.

Coming out of a timeout Virginia Tech answered with a 9-2 run of its own to tie the game at 52 before a highlight worthy deep three from Holesinska gave the Tar Heels a three-points advantage going into the fourth quarter. The Czech native had a great night, as she put up 21 points off the bench.

By the final frame, these two rivals certainly lived up to their billing, as scrappy play by both teams led to plenty of fouls and free throws in the back and forth final 10 minutes. Two clutch, timely three-pointers from Sheppard and sharpshooter Cayla King allowed the Hokies to regain the lead in the opening minutes and they never trailed again despite North Carolina’s best efforts.

One of the late daggers came when the Tar Heels had the ball trailing by four with just over three minutes to go and Bailey fouled out after an offensive charge call. As the star headed to the bench, Kitley, her Virginia Tech counterpart, nailed jumpers on back to back possessions. A two- minute span of free throws followed, where the Hokies did not miss and the game essentially ended.

“Bailey’s a senior so she has a lot of experience and she’s really strong,” Kitley said. “So when she was out, I was definitely wanting the ball and wanting to shoot.”

The Hokies’ strong play on both sides of the ball was integral to their success as they forced 14 Tar Heel turnovers, which gave them a winning recipe going forward.

This win brings Virginia Tech to 9-7 on the year as it will try to continue its winning ways with a visit to Pittsburgh on Thursday. For North Carolina, it drops to 8-7 on the year and will try to rally to get back in the ACC win column when it returns home against Florida State on Thursday.