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Virginia Tech Advances to Sweet 16 with Win Over South Dakota State
The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team secured a spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament’s Seattle 3 Region with a 72-60 victory over No. 9 seed South Dakota State on Sunday.
Amoore and Kitley Lead Hokies to Victory
Georgia Amoore scored 21 points for the Hokies, while Elizabeth Kitley added 14 points and 14 rebounds. The win was Virginia Tech’s 13th consecutive victory and set a school record with 29 wins in a season.
Hokies Play Worthy of Top Seed
Virginia Tech has lived up to their top seed, winning each of their first two tournament games by double digits. The team’s defense has been a key factor, holding all six of their postseason opponents to under 40% shooting.
South Dakota Fight until the End
South Dakota State won 22 consecutive games entering the game, but they struggled against Virginia Tech’s stifling defense. Myah Selland led the Jackrabbits with 17 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hokies.
Virginia Tech’s Sweet 16 Opponent
Virginia Tech will face the winner of Monday’s match between No. 12 seed Toledo and No. 4 seed Tennessee in the Sweet 16. The Hokies will look to advance to their first-ever Elite Eight.
Kitley Sets School Record
Elizabeth Kitley, a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, set a new school record for blocked shots with five against South Dakota State. Kitley now has 261 blocked shots for her career, surpassing the previous record of 256.
Final Thoughts
South Dakota State’s Myah Selland closed her career with 2,167 points, second on the school’s all-time scoring list. Despite the loss, Jackrabbits coach Aaron Johnston had high praise for Virginia Tech, stating that he wouldn’t be surprised if they advanced to the Final Four.
Overall, Virginia Tech’s win was a testament to their tenacious defense and home court advantage. With a loyal fan base behind them, the Hokies will look to continue their historic tournament run.
