In a historic win, Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball team has advanced to the Final Four for the first time in the school’s history. The Hokies secured their place in the national semifinals by defeating Ohio State 84-74 in the Seattle 3 Regional final, making it their 15th consecutive win. Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley was the leading scorer for the team, contributing 25 points and 12 rebounds to the win. Meanwhile, Georgia Amoore added 24 points and hit her fourth 3-pointer of the game to extend the lead to 13 points.
Ohio State put up a valiant effort and kept up with Virginia Tech in the first half of the game, with Taylor Mikesell scoring 25 points, including five 3-pointers. However, Ohio State couldn’t maintain the same energy in the second half, and Virginia Tech’s defense proved too strong to overcome. Despite Ohio State’s attempt to close the gap, Virginia Tech held on to its lead, remaining nearly perfect at the foul line down the stretch and keeping an undefeated record for more than two months.
In reaching the Final Four, Virginia Tech joins the ranks of seven other teams who have made it to the national semifinals for the first time in their history in the past 10 years. Virginia Tech’s head coach Kenny Brooks expressed his excitement and pride about the team’s accomplishment, stating, “We’re not just going to the Final Four. We’re in the Final Four. That’s something that means the world to me.”
Ohio State, which was aiming to reach the Final Four for the first time in 30 years and join its Big Ten Conference partner Iowa, scored 28% in the second half, compared to their 64% in the first half. Ohio State’s coach Kevin McGuff cited fatigue as a factor in the team’s struggle to maintain its press defense in the second half, which led to giving up easy baskets.
After the game, Virginia Tech celebrated its historic win at midcourt while “Enter Sandman” by Metallica played over the speakers of Climate Pledge Arena, amplifying the excitement of Hokies fans in attendance. Virginia Tech will now face off against LSU in the national semifinals on Friday in Dallas, continuing their record-breaking season.