Virginia Wins Third Straight Contest with 57-51 Victory Over Georgia Tech
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Feb. 23, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia notched its third consecutive win on Thursday night with a 57-51 victory over Georgia Tech at University Hall.
The Cavaliers improved to 16-10 overall and 4-9 in ACC play, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 13-13 overall and 2-11 in the league.
Virginia bolted to a 9-0 lead and pushed it to a 12-2 lead on four straight three-pointers, two from junior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) and one each from sophomore Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) and sophomore Takisha Granberry (Charlotte, N.C.). The Cavaliers maintained an eight-point lead throughout the stanza until the Yellow Jackets went on a 6-0 run to come within two points, 22-20. UVa held a four-point advantage at halftime, 35-31.
“We started out like gangbusters,” Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan said. “We were shooting the ball well.”
In the second half, Georgia Tech claimed its only lead at 15:19, 38-37. With 8:43 on the clock, Virginia held a one-point lead when Tech’s Stephanie Higgs was called for her fourth foul and then a technical foul. Zoll converted both free throws. The Cavaliers re-built their lead to eight points, 53-45 with 3:49 to go and never looked back.
“We struggled to score,” Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “When Stephanie Higgs fouled out, that was the difference in the game.”
“No team could get a rhythm out there,” Ryan added. “That’s what made it an ugly game.”
Zoll paced UVa with 18 points, including a career-best three treys. She also grabbed eight rebounds. Junior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) added 14 points and seven boards. The Cavaliers shot a dismal 29.4 percent from the field, the second lowest of the season.
“She was a warrior out there,” Ryan said of Williams, who struggled with a sore knee.
Janie Mitchell led Georgia Tech with 21 points. Higgs finished with 12 points. Kasha Terry pulled down 11 rebounds, while Chioma Nnamaka grabbed 10 boards.
Overall, Georgia Tech out-rebounded Virginia, 39-28.
“Getting these wins under our belts before the ACC Tournament gives us some confidence,” Zoll said. “I think we’ll be alright. We kept our patience and composure and came out with a `W’.”
Virginia closes the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 26 with Clemson at 2 p.m. The Senior Class will be honored in a pregame ceremony. The game is also the last for the women’s team in University Hall. Many alumnae are returning for the event- “The Last Ball in U-Hall”- and a special halftime presentation is planned. Fans will receive a commemorative ticket to the game. For Smithfield Family Fun Days, fans will receive four game tickets, four hotdogs, four Pepsi, and four popcorns for only $20 (while supplies last).
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalGeorgia Tech (13-13, 2-11) 31 20 - 51Virginia (16-10, 4-9) 35 22 - 57
Scores from other ACC games tonight:
#4 Maryland 89, Clemson 63Florida State 70, Wake Forest 57