Ballarat's Georgia Amoore leads Hokies to NCAA Final Four

Georgia Amoore's incredible NCAA Tournament run has continued, with the Ballarat native leading her Virginia Tech Hokies into the Final Four for the first time in program history.

The Hokies put together a strong second-half performance to overcome a valiant Ohio State University 84-74 in Tuesday's Elite Eight match-up.

DARE TO DREAM: Former Miners coach says Amoore is WNBA-bound

Amoore finished with 24 points, four rebounds and two assists in the 10-point win.

"I can't believe it," Amoore told ESPN straight after the game.

"Ohio State is such an incredible team and the game was just phenomenal, I'm so happy for us and the program."

Her 24-point performance was her sixth-straight game of 20-plus points, the longest streak by a Virginia Tech player in 20 years.

The Ballarat Miners export went down to the rooms following a big hit in the second quarter, but returned and played out the contest.

"It (the hit) just caught me off guard," she said.

"It caught me on the chin but what's a little hit when we have a game to win?"

The Buckeyes' press defense challenged the Hokies, but the Kenny Brooks-led side found a way through.

"It (Ohio State's press defense) got a bit choppy when we started passing it too much, I really needed to break it by dribbling through it," Amoore said.

"I'm small so I have to use that to my advantage but I also have to use basic moves to blow by them."

MVP HONOURS: Amoore crowned tournament MVP in ACC triumph

The Loreto College graduate spoke highly of her teammates following a slow-shooting start to the night.

"I did have some rough shooting tonight but they (Amoore's teammates) weren't discouraging at all," Amoore said.

"These girls just give me absolute confidence."

A post-game FaceTime from her parents during the celebration was a highlight for Amoore, as her parents get ready to fly to Dallas for the biggest game of their daughter's life.

Amoore and Elizabeth Kitley combined for 49 points, with the Atlantic Coast Conference MVP posting a team-high 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the Hokies' 15th-consecutive victory.

It sees the Hokies crowned Seattle Regional Champions as they prepare to travel to Dallas for the Final Four.

LSU awaits Virginia Tech in the Final Four, with the programs to go head-to-head on Saturday.

A 29-point outing against Tennessee from Ballarat's Georgia Amoore has seen Virginia Tech advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA 'March Madness' Tournament.

The Hokies, who escaped to an early 9-0 lead, led all night in the 73-64 triumph which sees Virginia Tech reach the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

"We just wanted to win more than anything," Amoore said post-game.

"It means absolutely everything (to advance to the Elite Eight), it's huge for our school and it's huge for Coach Brooks."

Coach Kenny Brooks had high praise for the "phenomenal" Australian guard, who finished with 29 points, six rebounds and five assists.

"She's as good as anybody in the country, in my opinion," Brooks told ESPN.

"She's playing with the utmost confidence and she's been playing like this ever since we really started this big stretch (14 straight wins) and she's a big reason why we're here."

Tennessee trimmed an 18-point margin to just one point with six minutes remaining, but Amoore and her Hokies stood strong.

"They are just some incredible athletes," Amoore said on Tennessee's line-up.

"They're a good, good team and they caused us trouble but I'm glad that we pulled away."

Virginia Tech plays Ohio State University on Tuesday at noon, AEDT.

Ballarat's Georgia Amoore is taking her Virginia Tech Hokies to new heights at the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

The program, ranked first-overall in the Atlantic Coast Conference, advanced to the Sweet 16 following a 72-60 win over South Dakota State on Monday morning.

It followed a 58-33 first-round victory against Chattanooga for the Hokies.

Amoore was in awe of what the team had achieved following the South Dakota win.

"When we started this year, Sweet 16 was the goal, amongst an Atlantic Coast Conference championship, and I just think it's great that we've accomplished all of that," Amoore said.

"But the tournament and the job really isn't done, so I'm excited to get to Seattle and still play some games and keep moving."

The Loreto College graduate made an incredible seven three-pointers in the 12-point win, which happened to be played at Virginia Tech as a neutral venue.

"The stadium was literally shaking," Amoore said.

"It's not like they just filled the seats. It was really loud. It honestly makes a difference to the game with free throws and everything like that."

South Dakota State coach Aaron Johnston was full of praise for Amoore following their match-up.

"Georgia is exceptional, she just makes Virginia Tech go and does so much for them offensively and defensively," Johnston said.

"She's able to get up and pressure the ball and contain point guards so she is a big part of what they do."

Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech centre, and Amoore have become an unstoppable one-two punch this season.

Kitley spoke about what makes the pair so damaging after the victory.

"We know that we need to be outlets for each other. She gets pressured a lot of times and she needs a little break. Then sometimes if the pressure's on me, I know that she's going to be there moving to be open," Kitley said.

"That benefits both of us. The more we can make them pay for that, then the harder it will be to take us away."

The Hokies return to action on Sunday morning.