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Jan. 28, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia women’s basketball team captured a 70-67 win over Virginia Tech Friday evening at University Hall in the longtime rivals’ first game as ACC opponents.
Virginia improved to 15-5 overall and 4-2 in the ACC, while the Hokies fell to 12-6 overall and 2-4 in the league.
“She’s a big game player,” head Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan said of senior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.). “When the game’s on the line, she needs the ball in her hands.”
In the first half, the teams were neck-and-neck until Tech jumped out to a six-point lead, 25-19 with 7:47 to go in the stanza. The Cavaliers then went on a 14-4 run to go ahead by four, 33-29 with 3:37 to go. UVa held a one-point edge at halftime, 40-39.
In the second half, the Hokies opened play with a 8-2 run to go ahead by seven, 49-42. UVa took over the lead with 13:23 to go and never relinquished it. Virginia held the Hokies scoreless for nearly eight minutes while launching a 12-0 run, paced by senior LaTonya Blue’s eight points. Tech tied the game twice, but UVa went ahead again by as many as six points, 70-64 with three seconds to go. Tech’s Carrie Mason nailed a trey at the buzzer for the 70-67 final score.
Blue paced UVa with a career-high 26 points and season-high 12 rebounds en route to her first double-double performance of the season (sixth in her career). She was also named the Fox Sports Player of the Game. Sophomore Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) was the only other Hoo in double digits with 11 points. Senior Jocelyn Logan-Friend (Cheverly, Md.) added nine points, eight boards, and four blocks.
“We showed a lot of character,” Blue said. “My teammates do a great job of keeping me motivated.”
“We had so many defensive breakdowns,” Hokie head coach Beth Dunkenberger said. “(It was a) great effort by LaTonya Blue.”
Four Hokies netted double figures, led by 14 points from Erin Gibson and Mason. During the game, Gibson netted the 1,000th point of her career.
“It’s a great rivalry,” Ryan added. “It’s a respectful rivalry. There’s a lot of respect between the two (women’s basketball) programs.”
Overall, Virginia out-rebounded Virginia Tech, 49-27.
“I think rebounding is the telling stat,” Dunkenberger said. “It’s about heart.”
Virginia travels to No. 21/19 Florida State on Monday, Jan. 31 for a 7 p.m. contest.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalVirginia Tech (12-6, 2-4) 39 28 - 67Virginia (15-5, 4-2 ACC) 40 30 - 70