Virginia Tech women’s basketball defeats Marquette in first round of NCAA Tournament

The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team defeated the Marquette Golden Eagles, 70-63, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

The No. 7 Hokies will next face No. 2 seed Baylor on Tuesday evening.

It’s Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks’ first NCAA Tournament win at Virginia Tech. The win was Virginia Tech’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2006 when the Hokies defeated Missouri in the first round.

Sophomore center Elizabeth Kitley was dominant for the Hokies. Kitley led the Hokies with 23 points and dominated Marquette inside the paint. She was 11 of 19 from the field.

Sophomore guard Azana Baines scored 15 for Virginia Tech, while freshman guard Georgia Amoore added 13 points.

The Hokies are now 15-9 on the season. The win improved Brooks’ record in Blacksburg to 101-58, and the Hokies would likely have reached the 20-win for the fifth consecutive season if not for a season shortened due to COVID-19.

It’s a great time to be a basketball fan at Virginia Tech these days, with Brooks and Mike Young at the helm of the women’s and men’s programs.