Virginia Tech Hokies at Louisville Cardinals

No. 4 Louisville holds off Virginia Tech 73-70 in ACCs

The 6-foot-2 senior scored 16 of her 21 points after halftime to go with 10 rebounds, helping the Cardinals hold off Virginia Tech 73-70 on Friday in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

The top-seeded Cardinals (30-2) had to overcome plenty of trouble and fight to the final minute. The ninth-seeded Hokies built early confidence and a nine-point lead. And Durr, newly crowned as the league's top player, managed just 11 points on 3-for-19 shooting in 34 minutes.

Hines-Allen made 6 of 9 shots after halftime to go with eight rebounds. The biggest might have been a 3-pointer with 4:22 left, while Durr came up with a key jumper with 42 seconds left and the Cardinals protecting a 67-64 lead.

Taylor Emery scored 27 points to lead Virginia Tech (18-13), which shot 45 percent and made 10 of 18 3-pointers. The Hokies were trying to reach the ACC semifinals for the first time in program history.

"I thought they played hard enough and well enough to win the basketball game," Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks said. "But I guess you need a couple of breaks to go your way in situations like this and we just didn't get them. ... Disappointed, but I thought we gave them everything they could handle."

BIG PICTURE

"The way we played tonight," Emery said, "I think we're going to be very dangerous in the future."

Louisville: The Cardinals were celebrating their first regular-season title in any league since winning the Conference USA title in 2001. This might have been a reminder that things won't come easily in Greensboro, even with the Cardinals going 15-1 in ACC regular-season play.

HINES-ALLEN'S 3

Hines-Allen's fourth-quarter 3 was only the ninth she's attempted all season. She's made five.

"To be honest, (the defender) was just way too off," Hines-Allen said, adding: "When I shoot it with confidence, most likely it's going to go in when I don't hesitate."

Walz was quick with a quip.

"We all said a prayer on the bench," he said. "We sure did."

TOURNAMENT CHANCES

Walz said Virginia Tech deserves an NCAA Tournament bid. Brooks hopes he's right.

"I don't know if the selection committee will say we have the resume," the second-year coach said, "but we are a tournament team."

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech: The Hokies await word on their postseason fate.

Louisville: The Cardinals advanced to play No. 23 North Carolina State in Saturday's semifinals.

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How can I watch Hokies vs. Cardinals?

• TV Channel: Hokies vs Cardinals 2021 College Basketball, week 17, is broadcasted on ACC Extra.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Venue: First Horizon Coliseum

Location: Greensboro, NC
Attendance: 3,297 | Capacity: