/
.
Virginia Upsets #18/23 Virginia Tech, 78-59
Story Links
Jan. 16, 2006
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Virginia women’s basketball team upset No. 18/23 Virginia Tech, 78-59, on Monday at Cassell Coliseum, snapping the Hokies’ seven-game home win streak while claiming their first win on ACC play.
Virginia improved to 12-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC, while the Hokies fell to 14-2 overall and 1-2 in the league.
With the win, Virginia earns a point in the Commonwealth Challenge. Virginia now leads the all-sports competition, 8-3.
“Our defense is usually pretty good,” said head coach Debbie Ryan. “I’m pleased where we are now. This team has bought into the fact that if we want to win, we have to play defense.”
In the first half, the Hokies scored the first bucket, but never led again. UVa went on a 15-4 run to go ahead by double digits, 24-12 with 8:58 left in the stanza. Freshman Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.) closed out the half with seven of her nine first-half points. Virginia utilized a season-high 60 percent shooting while forcing 14 Tech turnovers to a 15-point lead, 39-24.
“The first half was our best performance of the year,” Ryan said.
In the second half, the Cavaliers continued to dominate, going ahead by as many as 28 points, 72-44 with 4:24 to play.
Littles recorded her fourth double-double of the season, finishing with a career-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Takisha Granberry came off the bench for a career-high 16 points. Sophomore Sharnee Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) added 13 points.
Dawn Chriss paced Tech with 16 points. Kerri Gardin followed with 10 points.
Overall, Virginia Tech out-rebounded Virginia, 34-32. The Cavaliers shot a 51 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line.
“It’s a huge boost for us,” Ryan said of the upset. “You can’t put too much emphasis on one game in the ACC. You have to stay focused and on an even keel, win or lose.”
Virginia returns home to University Hall on Friday, Jan. 20 for a 7 p.m. game with No. 6 Maryland. The Regional Sports Network will televise the game.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalVirginia (12-3, 1-2) 39 39 - 78Virginia Tech (14-2, 1-2) 24 35 - 59
– Cavaliers –