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Virginia Hosts Miami on Wednesday in WNIT Second Round
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March 21, 2006
This Week
The Virginia Cavaliers continue play in the 2006 Women’s National Invitation Tournament in the second round on Wednesday, March 22 against ACC rival Miami at 7 p.m. in University Hall. With the purchase of every ticket, fans will receive a FREE hot dog and Pepsi. Also, all purchasers will be entered in a drawing to win a pair of 2006-07 women’s basketball season tickets and a VIP package for the first women’s basketball game in John Paul Jones Arena.
The winner will advance to third round action on March 23-25 against Mississippi/Pittsburgh. Date, time, and location information will be announced after the completion of second round action.
Charlottesville’s WINA Radio (1070 AM) will broadcast each UVa game live with Jed Williams and Myron Ripley calling the action.
Scouting Miami
The Hurricanes, under the guidance of first-year head coach Katie Meier, stand 17-12 overall following a 95-83 win over Florida International in the WNIT first round. Senior forward Tamara James is the top scorer with 21.2 ppg and team-best 7.7 rpg, while junior guard Renee Taylor follows with 15.6 ppg. Junior forward Melissa Knight rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.6 ppg.
Series vs. Hurricanes
Virginia stands 2-1 in all-time series action against Miami. On Jan. 22, UVa claimed a 77-65 win in Coral Gables, Fla. In the second half, the Hurricanes went ahead by five, 42-37. Junior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) nailed back-to-back threes to put Virginia ahead for good. The Cavaliers built the lead to 12 points for the win. McGuire paced UVa with a career-high 22 points, including four second-half treys and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. Junior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) finished with 20 points. Senior Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill.) added her third career double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
24th Postseason Appearance
Virginia is making its 24th postseason tournament appearance in 2006 since the school started sponsoring women’s basketball in 1974. UVa has appeared in 21 NCAA tournaments, the 1981 AIAW tournament, and the 1980 WNIT. In the `Hoos prior WNIT, UVa beat Wayland Baptist (67-62) in first round action before falling to North Carolina (68-61) in the second round and Drake (67-53) in the semifinal.
The Last Ball in U-Hall … Plus Two
In its 33rd season, University Hall hosted Virginia basketball for the last time during 2005-06 season.
The game with Clemson on Feb. 26 was the last regular-season contest for the University of Virginia women’s basketball team in historic University Hall.
In its 33rd season of women’s basketball, University Hall continues to come to life every time the Cavaliers take the court. UVa’s all-time record at U-Hall speaks for itself. The `Hoos stand 372-81 (.820) overall and 10-5 at home this season.
The Cavaliers have also recorded five perfect seasons at home- 1987 (14-0), 1988 (14-0), 1993 (15-0), 1994 (16-0), and 1995 (14-0). In 1994, Virginia established a new school record for most consecutive home wins, amassing 61 straight victories- the fourth longest home court win streak in the history of women’s basketball. Beginning next season, the Cavaliers will play in the state-of-the-art John Paul Jones Arena.
One Victory Away from 20 WinsVirginia stands 19-11 overall, j
ust one win away from its 20th 20-win season under head coach Debbie Ryan.
In the Statistics
After 30 contests, junior Siedah Williams leads the Cavaliers with 11.7 points per game. Senior Tiffany Sardin follows with 11.3 ppg and a team-best 6.7 rpg. Sophomore Sharneé Zoll is third with 11.1 ppg and leads UVa with 181 assists. Freshman Lyndra Littles adds 9.3 ppg. UVa out-scores its opponents by +7.6 points and out-rebounds foes by +3.6 boards.