Virginia Suffers Second ACC Loss with 73-63 Decision to #25 NC State
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Jan. 13, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Friday the 13th proved to be unlucky for Virginia as the Cavaliers dropped their second consecutive ACC game with a 73-63 loss to No. 25 NC State on Friday at University Hall.
The Cavaliers fell to 12-3 overall and 0-2 in ACC play, while the Wolfpack improved to 11-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The loss snapped UVa’s six-game home win streak.
“They were hitting on all cylinders from the three-point line,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “We didn’t play well defensively.”
In the first half, the teams were even over the first 12 minutes of play. Then NC State went on a 10-4 run to go ahead by seven, 27-20. The Cavaliers closed out the half with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 27-27 at intermission.
In the second half, the Wolfpack opened with a 17-3 run to go ahead by 13 points, 49-36 with 11:17 to go. The Hoos cut the lead to five, 54-49, on a three-pointer by sophomore Takisha Granberry (Charlotte, N.C.) with 6:43 on the clock. NCSU re-built its lead, going ahead by 14 points, 63-49. The closest UVa would come was six points, 67-61 with 1:25 left to play.
Three Cavaliers netted double-figure scoring, led by senior Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill.) with 16 points.Junior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) notched her first double-double of the season (second in her career) with 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Junior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) added 10 points, including two treys. Sophomore Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) dished out 10 assists.
“We definitely had enough scoring to win,” Ryan added. “We didn’t shoot free throws well or play perimeter defense. We were not on our defensive game tonight. It’s unusual. We didn’t have any flow.”
Billie McDowell, who ironically wears No. 13 for the Wolfpack, paced the squad with 23 points, including five three-point buckets. Ashley Key added 14 points. NCSU went 10-of-20 from three-point range.
“The ACC is really tough,” NC State head coach Kay Yow said. “We feel fortunate to come out of here with a win.”
Overall, NC State out-rebounded Virginia, 43-40. UVa forced 23 turnovers while committing18.
Virginia travels to intra-state rival and No. 21/23 Virginia Tech (14-1, 1-1 ACC) on Monday, Jan. 16. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum. The Regional Sports Network will televise the game [Comcast will air the game on a tape-delayed basis at 8:30 p.m.].
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - Final#25 NC State (11-4, 2-1) 27 46 - 73Virginia (12-3, 0-2) 27 36 - 63