No. 18 Cards Fall 86-70 in Ranked ACC Matchup vs. No. 12/13 Virginia Tech

Sunday, February 18

LOUISVILLE, KY

2 PM

University of Louisville

#12/13 Virginia Tech

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

No. 18 Cards Fall 86-70 in Ranked ACC Matchup vs. No. 12/13 Virginia Tech

February 18, 2024 | Women's Basketball

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Kiki Jefferson leads the effort with 19 points

By: Trey Curry

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 18 Louisville women's basketball team (21-6, 10-4 ACC) fell 86-70 to No. 12/13 Virginia Tech (22-4, 13-2 ACC) inside the KFC Yum! Center Sunday afternoon.

The Hokies led for over 37 minutes in the game, with Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore's 49 combined points too much for the Cards to overcome.

Kiki Jefferson led the effort with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, and Jayda Curry followed with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Nyla Harris and Nina Rickards rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 each, with the former adding five rebounds and two assists to her ledger.

It was a slow start for the Cardinals, with Virginia Tech leading 9-3 at the midway point in the quarter, but Louisville fought back within two at 11-9 after a Merissah Russell layup. The Hokies followed with a 9-4 run to build their lead to 20-13 going into the second frame.

Virginia Tech broke the game open in the second period, immediately hitting back-to-back three-pointers to force a quick timeout by the Cardinals. The Hokies continued their scoring flurry, leading by as much as 18, but Kiki Jefferson's 12 points in the frame allowed the Cards to stay within striking distance at 48-35 at the break.

The Hokies continued their torrid shooting, making 10 of their 11 attempts in the third quarter. The Cards kept pace as they forced five turnovers and were led by Sydney Taylor's seven points in the period, but couldn't make up any ground as Virginia Tech took a 70-54 lead into the final frame.

Virginia Tech maintained a steady lead, never leading by less than 14 throughout the final period. The Cardinals never quit battling, as Jayda Curry recorded seven points in the fourth quarter, but Louisville ran out of time as the buzzer sounded on the 86-70 conference loss.

The Cardinals are back out on the road for a midweek matchup in the Peach State. Louisville will head down to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday, February 22. The Cardinals and Yellow Jackets will square off from McCamish Pavilion at 6 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network.