Sometimes things just don’t work out according to the plan.
Hailey Van Lith scored 27 points in leading the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. But her three misses at crunch time doomed her team with Virginia Tech holding on for an 81-79 victory at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. It was Louisville’s first loss to Virginia Tech women in 27 years.
UofL (13-6, 4-2) hung with 13th ranked Tech and had a four-point lead in the fourth quarter. But the Hokies made big shots at crunch time including numerous three-point daggers. The Hokies improved to 14-3, 4-3.
Van Lith was 10 of 26 from the field, including two of seven from three-point range. At times Van Lith drew double and triple teams. It was the 11th game this season Van Lith has scored 20 or more points and 22nd of her career. Morgan Jones added 19 points and nine rebounds.
Louisville shot 50 percent (31-61) from the field. It marked only the second time that a Walz-coached team shot 50 percent and lost (140-2). The Cards made 12 of 16 free throws had 15 assist and 15 turnovers. They cut down to five in the second half. A classic back and fourth contest with 17 ties and 13 lead changes.
Taylor Soule led the Hokies with 24 points while ACC Player of the Year. The player who killed UofL, however, was relatively unknown Georgia Amoore who scored six of the Hokies’ last seven points. She had 13 points for the night, including two 3-pointers.
UofL travels to Florida State (16-3, 6-1) Sunday. The Seminoles are coming off a 91-72 over North Carolina State.