Virginia Tech Dismantles Syracuse 102-53 for Fifth Straight Win

By Caleb Wetzel

Staff Writer

February 17, 2022

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech (20-6, 10-5 ACC) has a wide variety of options it can score through on offense. The Hokies have one of the best players in the country in Elizabeth Kitley, who can pound it down low; two deadeye three-point shooters in Georgia Amoore and Aisha Sheppard; and plenty of other weapons.

They showcased all of these weapons on Thursday night in the Carrier Dome, blowing out Syracuse (11-14, 4-11 ACC), 102-53 –– the most points Virginia Tech ever scored in a game and any team has ever scored in the storied Carrier Dome.

The first half looked like a 3-point contest. The Hokies shot 10-of-16 from behind the arc in the opening half, while the Orange shot an impressive 5-of-12 (42%).

Aisha Sheppard made her ACC record for total 3’s made even more difficult to beat, knocking down five 3-pointers in the first half and six in the game. She finished with 18 points, the second-most for the Hokies.

The Hokies had a well-rounded scoring attack, too. Four players finished in double figures, and seven finished with eight or more points.

While the Orange tried to keep up, they were no match; Virginia Tech led 54-31 at intermission.

The second half was a different story for Virginia Tech, which found their scoring from All-American center Elizabeth Kitley. She scored 11 straight during one stretch in the third quarter and was resilient in the paint against the undersized Orange.

Kitley finished with a game-high 24 points on 11-17 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds to secure her ACC-best 11th double-double.

Virginia Tech has a huge game for ACC positioning this upcoming Sunday against No.3 Louisville. A win would catapult the Hokies into a tie for second place in the standings.

Syracuse has another extremely difficult matchup on Sunday as they travel to Raleigh to take on No. 4 NC State.