BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's basketball team is back on the court this Thursday, January 14 to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carmichael Arena. Tip is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network.
The Hokies' last contest was narrow loss at Georgia Tech 56-54 last Sunday. The Yellow Jackets converted two free throws in the final seconds to earn the victory.
In that contest, the Hokies utilized their third different starting lineup in three games and were once again led in scoring by Aisha Sheppard who scored 20. She is second in the ACC at 18.2 points per game and for the first time in her career, she has recorded three consecutive games of 20 or more points.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Thursday, January 14 – 6 PM
Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, NC
at North Carolina (7-3, 2-3)
Head Coach: Courtney Banghart
Record at school: 23-17 (2nd season); Career: 277-120 (14th season)
Series: Virginia Tech trails 8-19 Last: Feb. 9, 2020 (W, 72-63 in Chapel Hill)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: ACC Network
Play-by-Play: Pam Ward
Analyst: LaChina Robinson
Radio: Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Bryant Johnson
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING FOR
•Continued success against the Heels
Last season, the Hokies swept the Heels and have won four of five in the series under Kenny Brooks. For the first time in program history, Tech has won back-to-back games at Carmichael Arena, a trend that the Hokies would love to continue Thursday night. In the last meeting, Virginia Tech secured its seventh ACC win of the season, which set a program mark that would stretch to 11 by the end of the season.
•The battle on the boards
The Tar Heels are first amongst active ACC teams in rebounds (49.9) and margin (16.4). They do it collectively with center Janelle Bailey leading the team at 9.4 and forward Anaya Pool grabbing 7.6, followed by a host of players who all chip in to the effort.
Tech has been outrebounded in three of its last four games and have gotten double digit boards from center Elizabeth Kitley once in five games. Sunday at Georgia Tech, she had a season low three rebounds.
•Consistent contributions
The Hokies boast the highest scoring duo in the conference in Sheppard (18.2) and Kitley (17.6) who combine to score 35.8 points per contest. The All-ACC tandem has been so consistent that they have combined for between 29 and 49 points this season and between 30 and 39 in eight games when taking away their highest and lowest outputs.
Tech needs more consistent contributions from the supporting cast. Georgia Amoore also averages in double figures (11.3) but she has not reached that figure in three games since she went for 23 at Notre Dame. Asiah Jones' last 10-point outing came December 6 against Gardner-Webb and Cayla King has averaged 4.0 points since a career best 29 in the win over Pitt.
