For the second time this season, the Hokies and Tar Heels played down to the final seconds. And for the second time this season, it was Virginia Tech who emerged victorious. A jumper as time expired from Elizabeth Kitley did the job this time, sealing a 61-59 win for the Hokies in Carmichael Arena. It was just Carolina’s second home loss this season, but spoiled Senior Night festivities for Eva Hodgson, Malu Tshitenge and Ariel Young.
“We knew where the ball was going [on the final play],” head coach Courtney Banghart said after the game. “But things happen quickly. It’s much easier for me… to see what’s happening in live time. It was a missed coverage by some inexperience.”
Kitley’s jumper capped off a hectic final sequence which saw Carolina take the lead with 12 seconds left on a jumper by Kelly, Virginia Tech took it back with two free throws, and then UNC tie it again on a free throw from Alyssa Ustby. Ustby was playing for the first time in three weeks after nursing a knee injury. The night also saw the return of Eva Hodgson, who played in her first game since January 22.
“I feel like we’re whole again,” junior guard Kennedy Todd-Williams said.
The Hokies grabbed Ustby’s free throw miss and called timeout with 2.1 seconds remaining to advance the ball, then found Kitley wide open on the inbounds play for the final shot. The reigning ACC Player of the Year finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Virginia Tech dominated on the glass, grabbing 41 rebounds (14 offensive) to just 28 for Carolina. The Hokies held a 12-4 advantage in second-chance points.
“Too many. It’s too good of a team to give them two chances,” Banghart said.
Kelly led the Tar Heels with 18 points. Todd-Williams was the only other Tar Heel in double figures with 13. Ustby scored nine. Hodgson finished with two points in her final regular-season home game. It’s likely Carolina’s final appearance in Carmichael for the season, as the loss almost certainly dropped the Tar Heels out of contention for a top-4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Still, the regular season has one final opportunity for a signature win: a visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium and No. 11 Duke on Sunday at 12 p.m. Carolina has a chance to finish off a regular-season sweep of the Blue Devils for the second consecutive season under Banghart, and register its sixth ranked win of the season in the process.
Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter
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