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Virginia Opens Season with 69-56 Win at Rhode Island
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Nov. 10, 2006
KINGSTON, R.I. – The Virginia Cavaliers captured a 69-56 win at Rhode Island on Friday evening in the season opener for both squads.
In the first half, UVa jumped out a six-point lead, 13-7, led by sophomore Lyndra Littles’ (Washington, D.C.) eight points. Jump started by three consecutive three-point buckets, URI then went on a run of its own over the next eight minutes, outscoring UVa 17-4 to take the lead and go ahead by seven, 24-17. The `Hoos closed out the stanza with a 9-4 run to come within two, 28-26 at the break.
In the second half, Virginia stormed out of the locker room for a 17-2 run, capped by treys from freshman Jayna Hartig (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and senior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.). UVa held a double-digit lead for the most of the second half, dipping to nine points three times.
“We really were disorganized in the first half,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “We played a close first half, but in the second half we dominated a lot better, because we were a lot more poised on offense.”
Littles led UVa with 14 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth career double-double. Senior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) also racked up her fifth double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. In their collegiate debuts, all three freshmen saw significant playing time. Monica Wright (Woodbridge, Va.), the preseason ACC Rookie of the Year, started the game and finished with nine points, six rebounds, and four steals. Paulisha Kellum (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Hartig finished with six points each.
Three Rams netted double figures, paced by Jessica Magley’s 11 points. Tanja Licina and Amanda McGrew added 10 points each.
Overall, Virginia out-rebounded Rhode Island, 45-33.
Virginia returns home to Charlottesville on Sunday, Nov. 12 for the first-ever game at John Paul Jones Arena. UVa hosts longtime rival Old Dominion at 1:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalVirginia (1-0) 26 43 - 69Rhode Island (0-1) 28 28 - 56