A plethora of missed free throws and turnovers made the difference last Thursday night, as the Appalachian women’s basketball team fell to visiting Virginia Tech, 69-60.

The Lady Mountaineers held Virginia Tech to their lowest point total of the year, however, which was a feat in itself.  

Before Thursday night’s game, the Hokies had defeated Virginia and Duke, both of whom were ranked.  

For ASU, things weren’t business as usual. “It was a lot different before the game,”  junior shooting guard Noel Dolan said.  “Everyone was excited and talking.  We were intense and ready to play.”

The Mountaineers jumped out to an early 10-4 lead at the beginning of the game, and pressured the Techsters throughout the first half as they extended their lead to as many as eight.   

However, Virginia Tech, being the sleeping giant they are, woke up and made a 9-0 run as the free throw shooting of Appalachian became almost nonexistent. 

The Mountaineers went 8 for 15 from the line in the first half. “We missed a lot of free throws, and that really hurt us. We could have put them in a real hole the first half,” Coach Barbie Breedlove said.

Virginia Tech tied the score at 19 before half time on a three-pointer by Maria Alberts.

Dolan responded for ASU with her second three-pointer of the half. Her shot put Appalachian ahead, 22-19, but two straight baskets by Virginia Tech’s Michelle Houseright put the Hokies up 23-22.

Both teams exchanged the lead several times until the Hokies’ Nicole Jones hit two straight free throws, giving Virginia Tech a lead of 33-30. 

However, with under five seconds remaining in the half, Appalachian’s Dolan drove the lane, the defense collapsed, and she found teammate Tiffany Cole wide open, to knock down a jumper at the buzzer. The basket by Cole pulled ASU within one, 33-32.

The Lady Apps began the second half by regaining the lead on a shot from Tiffany Chappell. Her jumper gave the lead back to Appalachian, 34-33.

Virginia Tech came out of a media time-out hitting two straight three pointers, quickly pulling ASU out of their zone. The two straight three-pointers by Alberts gave the Hokies a lead of 45-36. Virginia Tech never trailed again.

Appalachian pulled within three points, 48-45, on a shot from Karma Edwards, which quickly forced the Hokies to call a time-out.  However, the Mountaineers were unable get any closer.

A problem that has plagued Appalachian in all of their losses would cost them another game. “We had some key turnovers down the stretch that really hurt us,” Breedlove explained.

Appalachian only committed eight turnovers in the first half.  However, ASU became unselfish in the second half and gave the ball away 13 times. For the game, ASU turned the ball over 21 times, compared to Virginia Tech’s 14.

As a result of Appalachian creating turnovers, Virginia Tech increased their lead to as many as 13 points, making the score 64-51 with four minutes remaining in the game.

Appalachian made one last desperate run after Coach Breedlove called a time-out. Dolan hit a three-pointer, and Edwards nailed a jumper with 24 seconds remaining. Edwards’ shot brought ASU within six, 66-60, but two straight free throws by Virginia Tech’s Lisa Witherspoon sealed the game for the Hokies.

The leading scorers for Appalachian were Dolan and Schoolfield, who both had 12 points. “We wanted to come out here and make a statement. Virginia Tech will be ranked in the top 25 next week,” Breedlove said. “I think that we still made a statement. I was proud of our effort. We didn’t stop playing hard,” she added. With the loss to Virginia Tech, Appalachian’s record is now at 3-4.