Hokies get Big Win against the Cardinals

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Elizabeth Kitley with her family along with Whit Babcock and the Hokie Bird at the ceremony where they retire her jersey. (Brian Bishop/The Patriot)

By BRIAN BISHOP

Patriot Publishing

Virginia Tech beat Louisville Sunday, 70-65 to give Megan Duffy her first big home win in a sell-out at Cassell Coliseum on Elizabeth Kitley Day in which Tech’s all-time leading scorer and three-time All-American’s jersey was retired.

 

Tech led 58-45 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Louisville closed the gap to 63-62 after an Olivia Cochran offensive rebound and score with 1:48 left to play.

 

Carleigh Wenzel made two free throws which gave Tech a 65-62 lead with 1:20 left, followed by Lani White’s two free throws to extend the lead to 67-62.

 

The Cardinals’ Ja’Leah Williams drove toward the basket, made the shot and drew a foul.  She missed the foul shot to close the Hokie lead to 67-64.

 

Louisville fouled Carys Baker on the next posession. Baker made the first of two free throws to extend Tech’s lead to 68-64.

 

Macenzie Nelson made two foul shots with 13 seconds left to build the Hokies’ lead.

 

Carleigh Wenzel fouled Williams on a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to play with Williams making one of three foul shots to make the final score 70-65.

 

The Hokies had four players in double figures. White was their leading scorer with 18, followed by Wensel and Petersen with 12. Rose Micheaux added 10.

 

Olivia Cocheran led Louisville with 14 points.

 

The win moves Tech to 13-5.  Their next game is Thursday at Pittsburgh.

 

Louisville drops to 13-6 with a game at Virginia next Sunday.

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