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#24 Virginia Falls to Virginia Tech, 63-62
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Nov. 23, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Intra-state rival Virginia Tech hung on to defeat No. 24 Virginia, 63-62, Sunday at University Hall.
UVa stands 1-1 overall, while the Hokies improved to 2-0. The win was Tech’s first at University Hall in 27 years (since Jan. 14, 1976).
In the first half, Virginia jumped out to a four-point lead, 10-6 with 14:04 on the clock. Tech came back, and the squads traded baskets until the Hokies took a six-point lead into the locker room, 36-30.
In the second half, Virginia Tech stormed to a 14-point lead on a 12-2 run, 48-34. The Cavaliers whittled away at the lead, helped by back-to-back treys from junior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.). Junior Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) made it a one-point game, 63-62 with 43 seconds to go. Teamer grabbed the rebound on Tech’s missed shot. UVa had two opportunities to score at the end as Teamer and Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill) both made attempts, but couldn’t get the final bucket the Hoos needed.
“We stayed with the same play (after the final timeout),” said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan of her team’s final possession. “We had two shots to end the game. We couldn’t get any better than that.”
Teamer paced the Cavs with her 19th career double-double of 19 points and 11 second-half rebounds. Blue added 15 second-half points, while senior Anna Prillaman (Midlothian, Va.) had 10 points. Blue served a half-game suspension for violation of team rules during the first half.
“La Tonya Blue played great today,” Ryan added. “She had a mission, and she shot the ball well. I’m proud of her performance. She played great defense.”
“We showed we can be a clutch team and come back,” Teamer said. “Toward the end we had the opportunities.”
“I told my team I’m really proud of them,” Ryan said. “We know no game is out of reach for us.”
Carrie Mason led the Hokies with 18 points, while Dawn Chriss added 11 points.
“I give Virginia credit,” said Tech’s Bonnie Henrickson. “They had some big buckets. Both teams will learn a lot from this game.”
Overall, UVa out-rebounded Tech, 38-36.
“Losing at home is extremely difficult,” Prillaman said. “Losing by one is extremely hard, and losing to Virginia Tech is extremely hard.”
The No. 24 Cavaliers travel to the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu. UVa faces No. 22 Arizona in opening round action on Friday, Nov. 28. WINA (1070 AM) will broadcast all the Cavalier tourney games on the radio and the UVa website.
WOMEN?S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalVirginia Tech (2-0) 36 27 - 63#24 Virginia (1-1) 30 32 - 62