Sunday, March 21
San Antonio, TX
11 A.M. CT
Marquette University
19-7,14-4Big East
63
vs
70
Virginia Tech (First Round)
15-9,8-8ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Marquette
8
13
18
24
63
Virginia Tech
11
21
16
22
70
#MUWBB Falls to Va. Tech, 70-63, in NCAA Tournament
3/21/2021 11:16:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lauren Van Kleunen led MU with 18 points
SAN MARCOS, Texas. - The Marquette women's basketball team ended its season with a 70-63 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday afternoon in the 2021 NCAA tournament.
Senior forward Lauren Van Kleunen had a team-high 18 points to go along with six boards to lead the Golden Eagles (19-7, 14-4 BIG EAST) while Selena Lott had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists and Camryn Taylor added 15 points.
The Golden Eagles started strong, hitting four of their first seven shots to take an 8-5 lead at the media timeout. Taylor had six points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting and Jordan King had a bucket as well. VT ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, however, holding MU scoreless for the final 5:00 of the period and taking an 11-8 lead.
After being held scoreless through the first 10 minutes, redshirt senior Lauren Van Kleunen came to life, scoring eight straight points to spark the MU offense. Her offensive outburst helped MU cut the VT lead to just two at 18-16. The Hokies clamped down on defensive and accelerated the pace on offense in the final five minutes of the half, however, outscoring MU 14-5. VT forced 13 first half turnovers by the Golden Eagles and headed into halftime with an 11-point lead.
MU came out aggressively in the second half, scoring two quick buckets to get the Hokies back to within single digits. After being held to just two points in the first half, Selena Lott attacked the paint for three scores, including an and-1. The Golden Eagles outscored the Hokies 18-16 in the third quarter and headed into the final 10 minutes trailing 48-39.
Va. Tech began to create some distance in the fourth quarter, outscoring MU 16-8 through the first 7:57 of the frame to grab its largest lead of the afternoon at 64-49.
With 2:03 to play, however, the Golden Eagles began an outstanding stretch of play that saw them cut VT's lead to just three points at 66-63. Selena Lott and Claire Kaifes nailed 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and Chloe Marotta made a layup after forcing a turnover during a full-court press.
LVK then drained two 3-pointers in a row to cut VT's lead to three points with 39 seconds to play. MU elected not to foul on its next defensive possession and forced a missed shot, which was rebounded by the Hokies. MU was forced to foul and VT hit four free throws down the stretch to win 70-63.
Elizabeth Kitley led Va.Tech with 23 points while Azana Baines had 15 and Georgia Amoore chipped in 13 and a team-best five assists.
UP NEXT:
Marquette ends its season with a 19-7 (14-4 BIG EAST) record. The Golden Eagles made their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and fifth straight BIG EAST Conference tournament title game appearance in 2020-21.
Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).
Senior forward Lauren Van Kleunen had a team-high 18 points to go along with six boards to lead the Golden Eagles (19-7, 14-4 BIG EAST) while Selena Lott had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists and Camryn Taylor added 15 points.
The Golden Eagles started strong, hitting four of their first seven shots to take an 8-5 lead at the media timeout. Taylor had six points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting and Jordan King had a bucket as well. VT ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, however, holding MU scoreless for the final 5:00 of the period and taking an 11-8 lead.
After being held scoreless through the first 10 minutes, redshirt senior Lauren Van Kleunen came to life, scoring eight straight points to spark the MU offense. Her offensive outburst helped MU cut the VT lead to just two at 18-16. The Hokies clamped down on defensive and accelerated the pace on offense in the final five minutes of the half, however, outscoring MU 14-5. VT forced 13 first half turnovers by the Golden Eagles and headed into halftime with an 11-point lead.
MU came out aggressively in the second half, scoring two quick buckets to get the Hokies back to within single digits. After being held to just two points in the first half, Selena Lott attacked the paint for three scores, including an and-1. The Golden Eagles outscored the Hokies 18-16 in the third quarter and headed into the final 10 minutes trailing 48-39.
Va. Tech began to create some distance in the fourth quarter, outscoring MU 16-8 through the first 7:57 of the frame to grab its largest lead of the afternoon at 64-49.
With 2:03 to play, however, the Golden Eagles began an outstanding stretch of play that saw them cut VT's lead to just three points at 66-63. Selena Lott and Claire Kaifes nailed 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and Chloe Marotta made a layup after forcing a turnover during a full-court press.
LVK then drained two 3-pointers in a row to cut VT's lead to three points with 39 seconds to play. MU elected not to foul on its next defensive possession and forced a missed shot, which was rebounded by the Hokies. MU was forced to foul and VT hit four free throws down the stretch to win 70-63.
Elizabeth Kitley led Va.Tech with 23 points while Azana Baines had 15 and Georgia Amoore chipped in 13 and a team-best five assists.
UP NEXT:
Marquette ends its season with a 19-7 (14-4 BIG EAST) record. The Golden Eagles made their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and fifth straight BIG EAST Conference tournament title game appearance in 2020-21.
Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).
Team Stats
Marq
Hokies
FG%
.481
.433
3FG%
.333
.235
FT%
.636
.824
RB
31
34
TO
14
12
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's BasketballGuard
/ Women's BasketballGuard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's BasketballForward
/ Women's BasketballForward
/ Women's BasketballHighlights: MU 76, JMU 80 (OT) (3/23/25)
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