#11 Virginia Tech fell in their Sunday afternoon ranked matchup to the #21 Florida State Seminoles by a final score of 89-81.
The Hokies led from the middle of the second quarter until the start of the fourth quarter. The game started out with both teams feeling each other out. Rose Micheaux contributed in the first 10 minutes by being the recipient of numerous great passes from Elizabeth Kitley.
The Noles game plan was simple. They doubled Kitley for much of the game at the expense of leaving other players on Tech open for shots around the basket or behind the three point arc.
This strategy was more beneficial towards Tech, as the Hokies' first half was a model of efficiency, shooting 53% in the first period and 58% from the floor in the second. Micheaux ended with 12 points in 12 minutes on 5-7 shooting which is improved production from what Tech typically gets from her in her 10 starting minutes.
Kitley was at her best once again, her first points came a bit far into the game but once her first basket went in, she was unstoppable. Fadeaways going over either shoulder, spin moves going either way too, Liz Kitley once again put the Hokies on her back for much of the game.
The two-time ACC Player of the Year totaled 30 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks on 14-28 shooting from the field. While Kitley’s greatness was on display for much of this game, Tech didn’t get nearly enough on the defensive end as a whole.
Both teams switched from man to zone several times throughout the course of the game. The Hokies were in good position to pick up a big road win over a ranked opponent heading into the second half. However, they struggled to defend the hot shooting of the Seminoles in the second half. For the game, FSU shot 55% from three. In the third quarter, they shot 69% from the floor and then 53% in the fourth to Tech’s 38% in that stretch of time.
Georgia Amoore dished out eight assists but struggled to score the ball at her usual rate, just finishing with 13 points on 6-17 shooting and not making a three after the first minute of the game. Matilda Ekh chipped in 14 points and despite Cayla King’s six assists, five points from the third best player on the team isn’t enough.
Overall, Tech shouldn’t take many negatives away from this result. The Hokies could have easily won on a neutral court and especially at home. Losses in the ACC were inevitable, it’s a tough conference and hard to win on the road.
Last year’s Final Four team dropped a few on the road too, so it’s not inconceivable to think this year’s team will too. However, Tech’s next matchup against Duke does carry a level of heightened importance to avoid a two-game losing streak.
