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Virginia Falls at Ohio State, 73-60
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Dec. 18, 2002
Columbus, Ohio – Virginia women’s basketball rallied from a 27 point deficit to come within one, but fell at Ohio State, 73-60 on Wednesday evening.
The Cavaliers stand 4-4 on the season, while the Buckeyes improved to 6-2.
In the first half, Virginia was plagued by early foul trouble and injuries as Ohio State went ahead by twenty-seven, 42-15, with 1:58 to go in the half. The Buckeyes held a 43-19 lead at intermission.
“I wasn’t upset with them,” said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan about her team’s performance in the first half. “It hurt us not to have Brandi in there.”
The Cavaliers stormed out of the locker room with a 16-2 run to open the second half and come within ten, 45-35, with 13:03 to go. UVa held Ohio State to just 6 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half. UVa kept plugging along to come within one point 56-55, with 3:24 on the clock. Ohio State converted 12 free throws to close out the game with a 13 point win.
“I decided to pick up the tempo and start pressuring,” said Ryan. “I am very proud of my team. They showed a lot of character.”
Sophomore Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) paced Virginia with 18 second-half points while sitting on the bench in the first half with 3 fouls. “Brandi’s intensity in the second half stunned them,” said Sophomore Cherrise Graham (Conshohocken, Pa.). “They couldn’t stop her. She set the tone for the rest of the team. They didn’t know what to do with Brandi in the post.”
“I was over-anxious.” said Teamer of her first-half performance. “In the second half I calmed down.”
Graham also added 18 points. Sophomore LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) finished with 11 points for the Cavs. Freshman Deidra Chatman (Richmond, Calif.) came off the bench for a career-high 7 points. “She played absolutely great,” commented Ryan on Chatman. “She will have an impact on this program.”
Courtney Coleman lead Ohio State in scoring with 19 points, while LaToya Turner added 16.
The Cavaliers continue play at the State Farm Classic on December 28 & 29 in Gainesville, Fla. UVa opens with Michigan in first round play. Charlottesville’s WINA Radio (1070 AM) broadcasts each UVa game live with Jed Williams and Myron Ripley calling the action.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalVirginia (4-4) 19 41 - 60Ohio State (6-2) 43 30 - 73