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Dec. 29, 2003

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Seventh-ranked Minnesota stretched its perfect record to 10-0 with a 73-53 win over host Virginia in the championship game of the 2003 Cavalier Classic at University Hall on Monday.

“Obviously this is a big win for our program,” Minnesota head coach Pam Borton said. “Our defense has come a long way, and we controlled the boards tonight.”

UVa fell to 5-5 overall.

In the first half, the teams kept the game close and were tied 23-23 with 4:51 to go. The Golden Gophers used an 8-0 run to close out the half and entered the locker room with a 36-29 edge.

In the second half, Minnesota started with an 8-2 run and never looked back, leading by as many as 22 points.

Junior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) led Virginia with 13 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) added 12 points. Junior Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points. Blue and Teamer were named to the five-member all-tournament team.

“We missed a lot of shots,” said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan. “We had a lot of shots rim out tonight.”

Golden Gopher guard Lindsay Whalen earned unanimous MVP honors following her 31-point performance. Center Janel McCarville, who shot 10-10 from the field, finished with a 22 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and all-tourney honors. Kadidja Andersson added 13 points.

“Lindsay Whalen is just the most amazing guard I’ve ever seen,” Ryan said. “When her team needs her, she steps up. She’s a very unselfish player. She is the heart and soul of that team.”

Overall, Minnesota out-rebounded UVa, 43-33.

“Every game has helped us,” Ryan added. “We’ve gotten better defensively.”

Virginia opens the 2004 ACC season on Friday, Jan. 2 against Clemson. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at University Hall.

In the third place game, Temple beat Georgia State, 60-48. Coached by former Virginia three-time All-American standout Dawn Staley (1989-92), the Owls were led by all-tournament selection Cynthia Jordan with 15 points.

All-tournament honoree Patechia Hartman paced GSU with 19 points.

Overall, GSU out-rebounded Temple, 42-28.

WOMEN?S BASKETBALL CAVALIER CLASSIC

CHAMPIONSHIP		1	2	-	Final

#7/6 Minnesota (10-0) 36 37 – 73Virginia (5-5) 29 24 – 53

THIRD PLACE GAMEGeorgia State (4-4) 30 18 – 48Temple (4-5) 29 31 – 60

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Patechia Hartman, Georgia State
Cynthia Jordan, Temple
LaTonya Blue, Virginia
Janel McCarville, Minnesota
Brandi Teamer, Virginia

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota (*unanimous)

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