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Virginia Opens With 51-48 Win Over Hampton
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Nov. 16, 2001
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The University of Virginia women’s basketball team opened its 2002 slate with a 51-48 victory at Hampton on Friday night.
“We were just out of sync offensively,” said head coach Debbie Ryan.” “With a young team you expect that.”
In the first half Virginia and Hampton traded baskets over the first 12 minutes until the Cavaliers went ahead by 8, 15-7. UVA lead by 11 at the break, 23-12.
In the second half Virginia went up by as many as 14 points. With just a 3 point edge, 41-38, sophomore Safiya Grant (Bronx, NY) nailed her only 3-pointer and converted a free throw for the 4-point play. The Lady Pirates whittled away to tie the game at 44-44 with 4:29 remaining. Hampton’s Marcie Blanding took the lead with 3:11 remaining.
Senior Telisha Quarles (Louisa, Va.) converted two free throws to tie the game at 46 with under 3 minutes to go. Hampton once again took a 2-point edge on a jumper by Lashondra Dixon. Quarles responded with a breakaway lay-up to tie the game at 48 and went to the line for the 3-point play. Latanya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) sealed the win with 2 free throws with 10 seconds on the clock. Hampton’s 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie bounced off the rim.
“Hampton made the switch to the zone (in the second half), and we went cold,” said Ryan.”We had to adjust.”
Quarles paced the Cavaliers with 16 points including 3-3 from the line. Latonya Blue added 12 points off the bench. Lineni Noa paced Hampton with 17 points. Overall Virginia out-rebounded Hampton, 39-34.
“I was looking at one thing and that was the basket,” said Quarles off her breakaway.
“I just tried to focus on shooting and ignore the crowd,” said Blue on her game-winning free throws.
Virginia visits Richmond on Monday, Nov. 19 for a 7 p.m. contest at Robins Center. The Cavaliers open the home slate on Tuesday, Nov. 20 in a 7:30 p.m. game with Liberty.
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 1 2 - FinalVirginia (1-0) 23 28 - 51Hampton (0-1) 12 36 - 48
– CAVALIERS –