GREENSBORO –Virginia Tech grinded all night and put the ball in the hands of their biggest playmaker down the stretch, but that wasn't enough as they fell 80-79 in overtime Thursday night.
The Hokies got 35 points from All-ACC performer Taylor Emery, who electrified the crowd while she scored 17 straight Hokies points in the second half. For Emery, her 3-pointer at the buzzer set a new career best, the fourth highest tally in the history of the ACC Tournament.
The result leaves the Hokies at 20-11 on the season and wondering where their postseason destination may be.
"It will be extremely important for our program (playing in the postseason)," head coach Kenny Brooks said in his postgame press conference. "Just as important I think it will be extremely important for these kids. They deserve it. They played extremely hard. They've done tremendous things for our program, for our university."
Sharing the stage were team captains, Emery and redshirt senior Regan Magarity.
"Two of the hardest-working kids I've ever been around," Brooks said. "For them to come up short, it's really a travesty because I thought they had opportunities. And like today, it's heartbreaking because I thought they deserved it.
But I think that obviously the postseason is important to our program as we continue on what they've done for this program since I've gotten here has been unbelievable. Couldn't ask for a better crew, what they've done and how they progressed."
Emery who had the hot hand all night, particularly in the second half hit a three pointer to give the Hokies the lead with less than 30 seconds left, but Clemson was able to counter with a bucket of their own to force the extra session.
Clemson had five players score in double figures led by 28 points and 10 rebounds from Aliyah Collier. Kobi Thornton scored 15, Danielle Edwards scored 13, Destiny Thomas chipped in with 12 and Simone Westbrook contributed 10.
The Tigers (19-11) move on to the ACC Quarterfinals against Louisville at 6 p.m. Friday evening.
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"I'm a senior and we needed this game," Emery said of her performance. "I told them I'm going to carry us, so get me the ball and I'll make it happen and they trusted me."
Magarity added six points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Sophomore Aisha Sheppard tallied 11 points and forward Trinity Baptiste recorded 13 points and seven rebounds.
Inside the box score:
• Tech, who faced two All-Defensive team players on the Tigers, turned the ball over 18 times on the offensive end, but forced Clemson into 22 errors of their own.
Game Notes:
• Emery's 35 points is the fourth highest total in ACC Tournament history. The performance tops her own 28-point output in last season's ACC Championships when she dropped 28 in the win over Syracuse.
What's next:
Virginia Tech will head home and begin their Spring Break this weekend and await their postseason destination which will be revealed on Monday, March 18. The NCAA Selection Show is aired live on ESPN at 7 p.m.