Hokie ClubLOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Elizabeth Kitley secured a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, but the Virginia Tech women's basketball team fell to the third-ranked Louisville Cardinals 70-56 on the road Sunday.
In addition to Kitley's strong performance, the Hokies (20-7, 12-4) were led by Emily Lytle, who had six points and six rebounds, and by Aisha Sheppard, who added eight points. Sheppard surpassed Renee Dennis to become the program's all-time leading scorer at 1,792 career points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 13-4, Virginia Tech went on a 5-0 run with 4:28 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from D'Asia Gregg, to narrow its deficit to 13-9. Louisville answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Hokies down 22-14 entering the second quarter.
Louisville kept adding to that lead, building a 24-14 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Kitley, to narrow its deficit to 24-20. Louisville responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Hokies trailing 38-27 heading into halftime.
Virginia Tech's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Hokies faced a 57-36 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter.
Louisville kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 68-46 advantage before Virginia Tech went on a 7-0 run to shrink the deficit to 68-53 with 2:43 to go in the contest. The Hokies kept their comeback going, but Louisville managed to hold on for the 70-56 win. Virginia Tech took advantage of three Louisville turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Elizabeth Kitley notched her 12th double-double of the season for the Hokies with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
» Aisha Sheppard became the program's all-time leading scorer (1,792 career points).
» The Virginia Tech bench made an impact by adding 19 points to its scoring output.
» Elizabeth Kitley led the Hokies with a game-high 21 points.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high 13 rebounds from Elizabeth Kitley.