Virginia Beats Old Dominion, 72-64
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Dec. 10, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia women’s basketball team claimed a 72-64 win over intra-state rival Old Dominion on Friday at University Hall.
UVa improved 6-3 overall, while the Lady Monarchs fell to 3-2.
In the first half, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 14-point lead, 20-6 with 12:25 on the clock. ODU had 10 turnovers in the first six minutes of action. The Lady Monarchs charged back to come within one point, 31-30 with 3:49 to go in the stanza, but Virginia never relinquished the lead throughout the rest of the game. UVa entered the locker room with a seven-point lead, 40-33.
“It set the tone,” UVa head coach Debbie Ryan said of UVa’s quick start. “Obviously that kind of start was tremendous. I was glad to see we were focused tonight. I was also pleased with our energy level.”
In the second half, the Cavaliers rebuilt their lead to 13 points and held a double-digit advantage until the 5:21 mark. The closest ODU would get was four points, 67-63 with 28 seconds to go. The Lady Monarchs had several chances to tie the game in the final minute. A block by senior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) with 20 seconds to play sealed Virginia’s victory.
Four UVa seniors scored in double figures, led by Jocelyn Logan-Friend’s (Cheverly, Md.) career-high 17 points. Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) and Blue added 13 points each, while Kate Kreager (Oak Hill, Va.) came off the bench for 12 points.
“Jocelyn had another incredible game,” Ryan said. “Now she’s doing it on a consistent basis. LaTonya gave us a very solid performance. She really helped us seal the win. She kept us in the game.”
Shareese Grant paced ODU with 18 points. Tiffany Green added 11, while Sherida Triggs had 10 points.
“Mentally you get into a rhythm and keep turning the ball over,” Grant said of falling behind early. “That’s what we did tonight.”
“There were a number of stories,” ODU head coach Wendy Larry said. “Turnovers was one and senior leadership was another with inconsistency on behalf of our veteran players. We’ve struggled with pressure.”
Overall, Old Dominion out-rebounded Virginia, 35-27. UVa forced 30 turnovers while committing 13. UVa scored 26 points in the paint and 35 points off turnovers.
“Debbie has tremendous athletes,” Larry said. “They played mature. With better poise and composure, we could have played them better.”
Virginia takes an 11-day break for final exams before hosting St. Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in University Hall.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalOld Dominion (3-2) 33 31 - 64Virginia (6-3) 40 32 - 72