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Cavaliers Fall to Florida 81-68 in State Farm Classic Final
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Dec. 29, 2002
Gainesville, Fla – The University of Virginia built a 12-point lead in the second half but it would not be enough as the Cavaliers fell to the Florida Gators 81-68 in the championship game of the State Farm Classic. Virginia (5-5) was led by Cherrise Graham (Conshohocken, Pa.) who scored 24 points and had three steals. Anna Prillaman (Midlothian, Va.) added 12 points and LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) was also in double-digit scoring with 10 points.
Florida started the scoring with a 5-0 run in the first two minutes but the Cavaliers tied it right up on a three-pointer by Prillaman and a layup by Anna Crosswhite (Castlecrag, Australia). Virginia surged out to a six-point lead on another three-pointer by Prillaman five minutes later, but the Gators tied the game up two minutes after that. The teams traded buckets and Prillaman hit a jumper at the 7:01 mark to put the Cavaliers ahead 24-23.
Graham then scored seven of the next 13 points while the Cavaliers held the Gators to nine points to enter the break up 37-32.
Virginia opened up the second half with a 10-3 run to take a 12-point lead with 15:32 to play, punctuated by a pair of made free throws from Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill.). Her layup two minutes later gave Virginia a ten-point cushion with 13:08 to play, but from there the Gators outscored the Cavaliers 42-19 to come from behind for the win.
Linescore 1 2 FVirginia 37 31 68UFlorida 32 49 81
High scorers:UVA: Graham 24, Prillaman 12UF: Cooper 16, Santos 16
High assists:UVA: Blue 3, Prillaman 3UF: Lowe 3, Santos 3
High rebounds:UVA: Graham 7, Prillaman 7UF: Cooper 10, Mosby 8
Teamer 3 blocksCrosswhite, Graham 3 stealsa