Virginia Defeats James Madison 98-52

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Dec. 29, 2004

The University of Virginia women’s basketball team won its fifth consecutive game with a 98-52 victory over James Madison (7-2) tonight in University Hall. The Cavaliers were led by fourth-year guard LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md./St. Frances Academy) who had a game-high 16 points and three steals. She was named the Championship MVP as the Cavaliers (9-3) won the tournament title. The Cavalier defense held Madison to 30% shooting from the floor while out-rebounding the Dukes 44-31. A 25-0 run late in the second half put the game out of reach as the Cavaliers held Madison without a point for seven minutes. With the victory, Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan won her 600th career game, becoming only the 11th coach in NCAA history to reach that milestone and only the fifth coach to achieve the feat at one school.

The Cavaliers bolted out to a 14-4 lead behind Blue’s seven points, a steal and a rebound. First-year guard Sharnee Zoll (Marlboro, N.J./Highland) had three of her game-high six assists in that stretch as the Virginia defense did not allow a JMU field goal until the 3:34 mark of the game to pull within eight at 14-6.

Over the next eleven minutes the `Hoos forged a 29-12 run as second-year Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio/Regina) notched six points and added five rebounds, two assists and a steal to stake the Cavaliers to a 43-18 lead with 5:15 to go in the half. Virginia took a 50-29 lead into the break.

The Cavaliers started off the second half much like the first, opening up with an 11-4 run as fourth-year Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill./Miller School) notched six points and classmate Jocelyn Logan-Friend (Cheverly, Md./St. John’s) added two points, two rebounds, a block and an assist.

With 11:01 remaining in the game, the Cavaliers held a 67-43 lead before erupting with a 25-0 run over the next seven minutes to take a 92-43 lead with 4:01to play. The final 12 points came on four consecutive three-point baskets from Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass./BB&N) who scored all dozen points in two minutes.

“She does a great job of finding her spots,” said Blue of teammate McGuire.

As a team, Virginia notched 22 assists on 33 made field goals and shot 84% from the line (26-31) while forcing 24 turnovers, including 14 steals.

“This has been a good team that has gotten better every day,” said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan.

Ryan notched her 600th win in her 843rd game tonight, making her just the 11th coach in NCAA h istory to reach this milestone.

“It’s about the players, the coaches I have coached with, the administration, and everyone in the department,” said Ryan of her milestone. “The fans have meant so much to this program, and it belongs to them as well.”

In the consolation game, UAlbany defeated American 74-57.

The Cavaliers will next face South Carolina from the SEC on Sunday, Jan 2. Gametime against the Gamecocks is 12:30 at University Hall.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

1 2 – FinalJames Madison (7-2) 29 23 – 52Virginia (9-3) 50 48 – 98

High scorer: V: Blue, 16 ; JMU: Brooks, Dickinson, 13High rebound: V: Williams, 8; JMU: Alexis 8High assists: V: Zoll 6; JMU: Dickinson, 3

Blue (UVa): 3 steals, 5 assists, 1 block, 5 rebounds

All-Tournament team: Chanel Hunt, American; Danielle Hutcherson, Albany; Tamera Young, JMU; Lesley Dickinson, JMU; Sharnee Zoll, UVa; LaTonya Blue, UVa.

Tournament MVP: Blue, UVa

– Cavaliers –