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Virginia Upsets No. 20/21 Maryland, 63-61
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Feb. 20, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia women’s basketball team scored its second upset of a ranked team on Sunday with a 63-61 victory over No. 20/21 Maryland at University Hall.
UVa improved to 18-8 overall and 7-5 in ACC play, while the Terrapins fell to 18-7 overall and 7-6 in the league.
“It’s just another game. Each game counts the same,” said head coach Debbie Ryan. “We’re playing for our NCAA lives. I was proud of the way we battled back.”
“Obviously the credit goes to Virginia,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said. “They were very inspired. They did a tremendous job defensively. They were more aggressive than us and wanted it more.”
In the first half, UVa went ahead by four, 9-5, then Maryland utilized a 17-4 run to go ahead by eight points, 25-17. The Cavaliers battled back to re-claim the lead at intermission, 31-29.
In the second half, UVa went ahead by six points, 42-36 before the Terrapins clawed back to a seven-point lead, 51-44, on a 13-0 run. UVa didn’t give up and tied the game at 57-57 with 4:01 to go. Senior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) put UVa ahead by four with two free throws, 61-57, with 24 seconds to go. Maryland had three attempts to score in the final five seconds. Anesia Smith nailed the last bucket to come within two as time expired.
“Blue made a big difference,” Frese added. “She put the team on her back. She’s extremely versatile.”
Blue was the only Cavalier in double-figures with a career-high 29 points, including a perfect 7-7 from the line. She also added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 37 minutes of action. Seniors Jocelyn Logan-Friend (Cheverly, Md.) and Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) added nine points each.
“My teammates do a good job of getting me open, and I was able to knock down shots,” Blue said.
“She had a tremendous game tonight.” Ryan added. “Twenty-nine points and no turnovers. She was spectacular.”
Sophomore Shay Doron paced Maryland with 15 points. Crystal Langhorne added 11 points and 12 boards, while Kalika France had 10 points.
Overall, Maryland out-rebounded Virginia, 43-41.
Virginia travels to No. 8/5 North Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 24 for a 7 p.m. contest.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - Final#20/21 Maryland (18-7, 7-6) 29 32 - 61Virginia (18-8, 7-5 ACC) 31 32 - 63