No. 14/13 George Washington Edges Virginia, 70-68

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CHARLOTTESVILLE Lyndra Littles nearly led the University of Virginia to an upset of No. 14/13 George Washington with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but the Cavaliers fell, 70-68, Monday night in John Paul Jones Arena.

“We fought valiantly and we never gave up,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “Good things are going to happen for this team.”

Trailing by two points with 29 seconds left, Virginia (1-1) forced a Colonial turnover and got the ball with a chance to tie or win the game. Fourth-year point guard Sharne Zoll’s jumper from the top of the key at the 12-second mark was short, and George Washington controlled the rebound. After two free throws by Jessica Adair to make it a two-possession game, Littles kept the Cavaliers alive with a 3-pointer with two seconds left on the clock.

After the ensuing foul, Kimberly Beck hit one of two free throws, but Virginia could not get down the court in time to attempt a shot and the Colonials got the 70-68 victory.

In addition to Littles’ outstanding effort, Aisha Mohammed barely missed registering her second-straight double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Paulisha Kellum chipped in 12 points for the Cavaliers, while Zoll finished with nine points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

George Washington (2-0) started the game on a 10-1 run before Virginia countered with 12 unanswered points to take a 14-10 lead at the 13:40 mark. The Cavaliers led by as many as eight points in the first half and held a comfortable lead until late in the second half.

Leading 54-47 with 7:37 left in the game, Virginia was held scoreless for the next three minutes as George Washington went on a 12-0 run to claim the lead.

Antelia Parrish led five Colonial starters in double figures with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Virginia hits the road on Thursday, Nov. 15, for a 7 p.m. game at South Carolina.