Women’s March Madness: Maryland, Virginia Tech vying for Sweet 16 spot
With March Madness for women's basketball underway, two D.C. area teams are vying for a spot in the Sweet 16.
With March Madness for women’s basketball underway, two D.C. region teams are vying for a spot in the Sweet 16.
After blowing out their opponents in the first round, the University of Maryland Terrapins and the Virginia Tech Hokies will have their work cut out for them in round two.
For day three of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, here is what you need to know about these local teams.
Virginia Tech
Seattle Regional 3 Bracket: No. 1 Virginia Tech (28-4) vs. No. 9 South Dakota State, 5 p.m. on ESPN2 in Blacksburg, Virginia
The Virginia Tech Hokies had a fairly easy time in their 25-point win against Chattanooga, where they led wire-to-wire, including a 17-0 scoring run between the first and second quarters. They were led by Georgia Amoore (22 points and five pointers) and Elizabeth Kitley (12 points and 14 rebounds)
Even though they’re currently on a 12-game winning streak, they’ll have their work cut out when they face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, who are coming off a first round victory against USC 62-57 in overtime. The Jackrabbits are led by Myah Selland, who scored 29 points in the opening round. What may be more challenging for the Hokies is that the Jackrabbits are on a 22-game winning streak.
Head coach Kenny Brooks said, after the team’s first round victory, that the goal is to “survive and advance.”
Maryland
Greenville Regional 1 Bracket: No. 2 Maryland (26-6) vs. No. 7 Arizona (22-9), 5:30 p.m. on ESPN in College Park, Maryland
Another team trying to survive and advance is the Maryland Terrapins, who are coming off their tournament opening demolition of Holy Cross 93-61. They led the entire game and never looked back. The Terrapins top scorers were Brinae Alexander (18 points), Abby Meyers (16 points) Diamond Miller and Shyann Sellers (13 points apiece).
But they’ll be facing the Arizona Wildcats squad coming off their opening round victory against the West Virginia 75-62. It’ll be a March Madness reunion for Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese, who played college basketball at Arizona, graduating in 1993.
One thing that Maryland has on their side is that they are 3-0 against Arizona. If the Terrapins win, they’ll advance to the Sweet 16 for the 11th time under Frese.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.