Virginia Wins Exhibition Game, 102-67
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Oct. 31, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia women’s basketball captured a 102-67 win over Team Concept in exhibition action on Tuesday in the team’s first game at John Paul Jones Arena.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead on six points by junior Takisha Granberry (Charlotte, N.C.). UVa maintained its double-digit lead throughout the game, building to a 21-point edge at halftime, 53-32.
In the second half, the `Hoos built upon their lead, going ahead by as many as 37 points, 90-53. Uva held Concept scoreless for four minutes, utilizing an 11-0 run.
Senior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) paced UVa with her fifth double-double in collegiate play. She finished with 24 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Sophomore Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.), who made her second start, added a career-high 21 points and nine boards. Granberry also finished with a career-high 20 points, including a career-best four treys. Junior point guard Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) dished out 12 assists, marking the fourth double-digit assist game in her collegiate career.
Virginia eclipsed the 100-point mark for the 31st time in school history. UVa now stands a perfect 31-0 in games when scoring more than 100 points.
Guard Tamara Moore (Wisconsin `02) paced Team Concept with 23 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. She scored 18 points in the first half alone. Virginia alumna Telisha Quarles (1999-02) was the only other player in double digits with 12 points.
Overall, Virginia out-rebounded Team Concept, 60-31.
Virginia opens the 2006-07 season on Friday, Nov. 10 at Rhode Island at 5:30 p.m. The home opener at John Paul Jones Arena is set for Sunday, Nov. 12 with Old Dominion. Tip-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. WINA Radio (1070 AM) will broadcast both games live.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Debbie Ryan, Virginia head coach
On Virginia:
“I think we showed a lot of energy to start the game. Obviously our point production was better, but we still have a long way to go in execution. Defensively, I would have liked to see us play a lot better.”
Takisha Granberry
On her shooting tonight:
“Every day I tried to work on my shot, just out of transition, spot shooting, but I didn’t think I was going to be that ‘on’ tonight since I was off during shoot-around. I don’t know; it just felt right.”
On the different line-ups played:
“You can’t go wrong with any line-up on this team. There is just so much variety. Everybody is just great. We could have Monica on post playing with four guards. We could have five guards out there. There is just so much chemistry and versatility on the team, and it’s awesome. It has been like that in the past, but I think there are now more combinations we can have. We have always been able to throw out different line-ups, but it has just always been almost like one set line-up.”
Siedah Williams
On the team’s rebounding:
“Since practice started, that has been our main focus, defense and rebounding. Before we came out to play today, coach Hoover was telling us we needed to crash the offensive boards as hard as we can, and that’s something we did well tonight. Especially getting 23 offensive rebounds tonight, I mean that is amazing.”
Sharneé Zoll
On her progression as a player and a leader:
“I think it’s getting easier for me. As everyone knows, I came in my first year with five seniors, and I was really hesitant to talk because I knew that they knew the system and what coach wanted. They knew everything that I didn’t or that I felt I didn’t. Once I had learned from them and taken a step back and got to taking a lot of things they taught me, especially LaTonya Blue. Now I think I have carried that over to the younger girls here, and now I am the upperclassmen here, and it’s kind of weird saying that. I am just trying to take over what coach wants, and I realize what coach wants now in almost every set, so I am just trying to relay that message since that is what a point guard is, a coach on the floor.
On the differences between playing in JPJA and U Hall:
“The lights, that’s the only thing. You feel like a star. Everyone should be watching you, but you just feel like “wooooo, these are spotlights.” Not the sound. I didn’t even think about that until I was on the bench; that was the only time I heard it. Every time it hit the rim it went “dong.” Even if you made it, it sounded horrible. Not the sound, I just think the lights.”
On team chemistry:
“We have the best team chemistry a team could have. We go out as a team. It doesn’t matter if we go out to eat, it’s about six of us every single time we go out to eat, six or seven of us. That doesn’t happen with many teams. Everyone hangs out with everyone else. We don’t have cliques on this team. Everyone likes each other and genuinely cares for each other, and that doesn’t happen very often. I think that definitely showed tonight on the court. Everyone is unselfish, and we don’t care who takes the shot. If you’re hitting, then I am going to throw the ball to you, and I feel that comes from off-the-court chemistry.”
Steve Smith, Team Concept head coach
On Virginia:“I think the University of Virginia is going to be a Top 25 team in the nation. They are extremely quick, extremely athletic, and they take care of the basketball. I was very much impressed with their overall play. Their point guard Zoll ran the team extremely well. They’re tenacious on the boards; they probably got at least 30 second-chance opportunities. I’m looking forward to scouting them.”
On the John Paul Jones Arena:
“I’m a former WNBA coach, and I still scout for the WNBA, and this right now is probably the best arena I’ve seen in college ball. Right now, this one tops the cake. This is a phenomenal facility.”
Telisha Quarles, Cavalier alumna
On playing at her alma mater:
“First of all, I really did not think I’d be able to play in a new arena. It was pretty much a miracle when the coach called me and told me we were playing against UVa. He asked if I could come to Charlottesville, because I live in Richmond. I really wasn’t in the best shape; my condition was terrible but I still wanted to play. It was good to see Debbie, good to see the team, and see that they’ve grown a lot. It was really good to come back. I wish I could have put on a better show.”
On playing in John Paul Jones Arena:
“It is a really nice facility. I came over earlier this morning, and they have a practice arena. It’s a lot different. I feel like an alumnus now, because I really did not know my way around here. It’s a really nice gym, and I wish them a lot of luck.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL EXHIBITION
1 2 - FinalTeam Concept (0-1) 32 35 - 67Virginia 53 49 - 102