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Jan. 18, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s basketball team snapped its three-game win streak with a 63-52 loss to No. 1/2 Duke on Sunday night at University Hall.
“I give Virginia all the credit in the world,” said Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors. “They played a great game. They came together as a team. They caused us a lot of trouble. I’m just happy to come out with a win.”
UVa fell to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the ACC, while the Blue Devils improved to 14-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in ACC play.
“I felt where we lost the game was in second chance points and turnovers,” said UVa head coach Debbie Ryan. “We did a lot of things right. I’m really proud of my team and its effort.”
In the first half, the teams battled back and forth. The largest lead was five points by UVa, 23-18 with 6:26 to go. The Cavaliers entered the locker room with a one-point edge, 29-28.
In the second half, Duke took over the lead for the final time with 7:15 to go on the clock. The Blue Devils stretched their lead to eight, 53-45. The Cavs came within four, 53-49, but Duke closed out the stanza by going 10-for-10 from the line.
“Hitting free throws down the stretch was crucial,” Goestenkors added.
Junior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) was the only Cavalier in double figures with 15 points. Junior Kate Kreager (Oak Hill, Va.), senior Anna Prillaman (Midlothian, Va.), and sophomore Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill.) followed with eight points each. Junior Jocelyn Logan-Friend (Cheverly, Md.) finished with a season-high 10 rebounds and career-high five blocks.
“She’s a tremendous player,” Goestenkors said of Logan-Friend. ‘She altered so many shots. I was very impressed with her.”
“I had a lot of confidence in my team,” Blue said.
Virginia held Duke to season lows in points (63), field goal percentage (.328), and assists (9).
“Most people in this country wouldn’t think we’d play Duke so closely,” Prillaman added.
Senior Alana Beard paced Duke with a game-high 24 points. Monique Currie and Mistie Bass chipped in 10 points each.
“We executed well. We stood up to them,” Ryan said. “If we can play defense like we do now, we can beat anyone.”
Overall, Duke out-rebounded Virginia, 41-37.
Virginia travels to Florida State on Friday, Jan. 23 for a 7 p.m. game. The Sunshine Network will televise the game in Florida only.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - Final#1/2 Duke (14-1, 5-0) 28 35 - 63Virginia (8-8, 2-3) 29 23 - 52