Virginia Tech Picks up Fourth Straight Win Against No. 23 North Carolina

By Caleb Wetzel

Staff Writer

February 13, 2022

BLACKSBURG – When Aisha Sheppard began her college basketball career at Virginia Tech in 2017, she led the team with 76 3-pointers, a freshman record at the school.

Four seasons and 301 3-point makes later, she now has her name written in the history books as the ACC leader in career 3-point field goals.

“It means a lot to submit my name and put it with other legends’ names, it feels amazing,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard scored 14 points and knocked down four 3-pointers as Virginia Tech (19-6, 11-3 Atlantic Coast) picked up a second consecutive win against a ranked opponent in a 66-61 victory over 23rd ranked North Carolina (19-5, 9-5 ACC).

Of the Hokie’ 23 field goals in the game, 13 came off of an assist showing how much they value spreading the ball and trusting their teammates.

“It [the record] comes with having great teammates and being in an environment with great coaches,” Sheppard said. “As much as my name is on the record, so is everybody else because they give me the ball and they give me the confidence to shoot the ball.”

Virginia Tech also set a record as a team on Sunday, picking up its second consecutive win against a ranked opponent, the first time they have done so in program history.

Even with the Hokies picking up the win, it wasn't all smooth sailing as they found themselves trailing by 12 after the first quarter.

But they shot 4-of-5 from three in the second quarter, including two 3’s from Georgia Amoore, to come storming back and take the lead going into halftime.

Amoore led the team in scoring with 17 points and lived up to her reputation as a three-point sniper with five 3’s in the game.

North Carolina made a run at the beginning of the third quarter, pulling ahead to take a one-point lead. But back-to-back shots from Amoore and Sheppard took the lead back and the Hokies didn’t trail again the rest of the game.

North Carolina’s Deja Kelly led the team with 17 points but struggled from the field, shooting 7-for-18 due to Virginia Tech’s stifling defense. The Hokies held the Tar Heels to just 32.8% shooting from the field and forced 16 turnovers.

Elizabeth Kitley led the charge on defense, blocking five Tar Heel shots and making every shot in the lane difficult. She added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and recorded eight rebounds.

Virginia Tech will travel to Syracuse on Thursday to take on The Orange and look to extend their win streak to five games.

North Carolina has a tough home game Thursday against No. 3 Louisville, who the Hokies face after the Orange.