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Virginia Women's Basketball Defeats NC State, 58-54
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Feb. 13, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s basketball team captured its sixth consecutive home win with a 58-54 victory over NC State on Thursday night at University Hall.
“It feels good,” said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan. “I’m really proud of this team, because a month ago, we would have lost this game.”
The Cavaliers improved 11-12 overall and 5-7 in ACC play, while the Wolfpack fell to 10-13 overall and 5-7 in the league.
“It was a disappointing loss after the way we started the game,” said NC State head coach Kay Yow. “We couldn’t maintain our lead. It was a critical game for both teams.”
NC State took the opening tip and never looked back. The Wolfpack went ahead by 15 points, 25-10 with 8:45 to go. UVa whittled away with a 16-2 run to tie the game at 27-27 with 4:43 on the clock. Sophomore LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) nailed two free throws with 47 seconds remaining to give the Cavs a 33-31 lead entering the locker room.
“We played much better defense during that stretch,” Ryan said of the run. “Brandi (Teamer) really picked up the energy on the court.”
In the second half, Virginia built its lead up to as many as 13 points, 50-37 with 10:39 remaining. The Wolfpack charged back to come within one point, 54-53 with 1:20 on the clock. UVa never relinquished its lead as sophomore Cherrise Graham (Conshohocken, Pa.) nailed four free throws in the final minute of action.
“She’s definitely their best penetrator. and she creates shots for herself and others,” Yow said of Graham. “We put her on the free throw line too much.”
Sophomore Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) paced UVa with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Graham was only other Cavalier in double digits with 13 points, including 7-9 from the line.
For NC State, Carisse Moody had 16 points off the bench, while Kaayla Chones added 11 points.
Overall, Virginia out-rebounded NC State, 38-34.
Virginia begins a two-game road swing. The first stop is Georgia Tech on Sunday, Feb. 16. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN2. 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 - FinalNC State (10-13, 5-7) 31 23 - 54Virginia (11-12, 5-7) 33 25 - 58
Other ACC scores from tonight:#2 Duke 82, Georgia Tech 43#7/8 North Carolina 72, Florida State 56Wake Forest 79, Maryland 75