BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's basketball team (20-7, 10-6) is back on Carilion Clinic Court for the final time this season as they play host to the Duke Blue Devils on Thursday, February 27.
The Hokies feature the three-time ACC Freshman of the Week, center Elizabeth Kitley who was honored with the award for the second consecutive week after averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5. blocks. She helped the Hokies earn the program's first win at Notre Dame where she notched a double-double and also had a career-best eight blocks.
Sunday Tech fell to rival Virginia 86-76 as their bid to sweep the Cavaliers for the first time since 2015-16 fell short. In that game junior guard Aisha Sheppard connected on eight 3-pointers, tying the program record for a single game and setting a career-high with 32 points in the game. In the process she set the program's single-season 3-point mark at 81 surpassing teammate Dara Mabrey's 80 set last season.
Sheppard stands 17 points away from becoming the 28th woman in program history to eclipse 1,000 points.
GAME INFORMATION
Virginia Tech vs. Duke
Thursday, February 26 – 7 PM
ACC Network Extra
- Jon Laaser (play-by-play)
- Mack McCarthy (analyst)
- Evan Hughes (sidelines)
THE Blue Devils
Duke (17-10, 11-5) enters the game winners of six straight and eight of nine games. Monday night the Blue Devils won a 70-65 contest at No. 8 NC State behind 24 points from guard Haley Gorecki. The grad student, who averages 18.3 points per game has poured in 19 per contest during the six-game stretch.
In her last appearance at Cassell Coliseum, Gorceki helped Duke to an 86-75 victory with a 28-point performance that included what was then a record seven 3-pointers on that floor.
Leanna Odom is the only other Blue Devil averaging in double figures (14.1).
NEXT TIME ON THE HARDWOOD
•Tech closes out its regular season slate at No. 5 Louisville on Sunday, February 29. Tipoff for that contest is set for 12 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network.
•Louisville holds a 21-17 series lead and have won each of the last six meetings, however each of the last three contests have been decided by single digits.