BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Towson University women's basketball team tipped off the 2025-26 season vs. Virginia Tech on Tuesday evening at Cassell Coliseum.
 
After a tight first half in which Towson (0-1) trailed Virginia Tech (1-0) by 11 at the break, a 34-12 third quarter edge in favor of the Hokies allowed Virginia Tech to pull away for a 100-56 win in both teams' season opener.
 
Key Stats

• Virginia Tech outrebounded Towson 59 to 31 in the game. The Hokies finished with 18 offensive rebounds, leading to 21 second chance points.
• Virginia Tech's bench outscored the Tigers' 43-18.
• The Hokies outscored the Tigers 34-12 in the third quarter after leading by 11 at the half.

 
How it Happened

• The game started at a torrid pace, with Virginia Tech taking a 12-11 lead three minutes in. Zoli Khalil led the Tigers with four points on two made baskets to begin the game.
• The Hokies closed the first quarter on a 10-2 run, extending their lead to nine at the first quarter break. India Johnston led the Black & Gold with five points in the first.
• Tech began the second quarter on a 16-6 run through the first 4:10.
• Viki Matulevicius hit her first collegiate bucket on a layup with 5:25 on the clock.
• Towson closed the first half on a 9-3 run, holding the Hokies without a field goal over the final 5:50. The Tigers trailed 41-30 at the halftime break after holding a 40 to 31.3% field goal percentage advantage in the second period.
• Virginia Tech scored nine straight to begin the second half before Hannah Dereje's free throw with 6:49 on the clock ended the run.
• Dereje scored the Tigers' first five points of the quarter, cutting the deficit to 56-35 on her second made basket.
• The Hokies finished the third on a 19-7 run from that point, taking a 75-42 lead into the final quarter.
• Viki Matulevicius and Zoli Khalil hit a pair of triples early in the fourth, pulling the Tigers within 29 with 8:41 on the clock.
• Matulevicius hit another with 5:15 on the clock to get to nine points on the night.
• Asya Lara Barnes hit a triple with 3:33 on the clock, the first field goal of her young collegiate career.