king and sheppard lead the way for tech from three in win over liberty

Jackson Didlake

November 28, 2020

BLACKSBURG, Va. — For the second straight game, five players scored in double figures for Virginia Tech in an 81-66 victory over Liberty.

“Any time you have depth like that you have the confidence to win games,” Aisha Sheppard said. “If we keep that up, we should be in line for some big things coming up.”

All five starters went for double digits in the Hokies’ victory over Richmond on Wednesday, but this time Tech showed off its depth with four starters and Da’Ja Green off the bench.

“We have two go to players,” Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks said, speaking of Sheppard and Elizabeth Kitley. “It also shows you we have other players than can go for over 20.”

Sheppard led the way for the Hokies (2-0), recording 17 points and adding six assists. Sheppard shot 16 times behind the arc, a new team record. She previously held the record of 15 from Feb. 23 against Virginia.

Despite Sheppard’s shot attempts, Cayla King was the story for the Hokies from three, draining 5 of 8 attempts to finish the day with 15 points.

“When you have so much emphasis on Liz [Kitley] and Sheppard … she [King] is going to find some holes,” Brooks said.

Three-pointers were the difference as the Hokies shot 41.2% behind the arc compared to the Flames’ 23.5%.

“Coach Brooks wants us all to have the shooter mentality,” King said.

Tech also moved the ball well, finishing with 21 assists to the Flames’ seven.

Elizabeth Kitley had 16 points and notched her second double-double to start the season. Asiah Jones recorded 10 points, four rebounds and four blocks before she fouled out late in the contest. Off the bench, Green had a solid performance with 10 points, three rebounds and six assists.

Little Rock transfer Emily Lytle led the Flames (0-2) with 14 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Bella Smuda was the only other Flame in double-digits, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds.

King was the story of the first quarter for the Hokies, draining three shots from behind the arc during a 15-2 run. Liberty responded by closing out the period with an 8-0 run of its own to narrow the Hokies lead to five.

Kitley only played five minutes before being subbed out in the second quarter. She was able to muster seven points to go along with the four she scored in the first. The Hokies took a 48-33 lead into the half, a lot in part to their successful ball movement. Tech out assisted the Flames 13-2 in the half, with Sheppard leading the team with five and Green adding four of her own.

The Hokies were able to go on another lengthy run in the third quarter, outscoring the Flames 13-3 during a stretch where Sheppard knocked down two threes. Tech was able to extend their lead to 21 while holding the Flames to just four field goals in the period.

Liberty was able to make up some ground in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-2 run early in the period, but it was too late.

The win propels the Hokies to a perfect 2-0 record to start the season while the Flames start the year at 0-2 after starting last season 1-5. Tech will continue their season on Tuesday against visiting George Washington at 5 p.m.