Virginia Downs Wisconsin, 84-60, In ACC/Big Ten Challenge

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CHARLOTTESVILLE Monica Wright matched a career-high with 27 points and Virginia topped Wisconsin, 84-60, in the inaugural women’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge Friday night at John Paul Jones Arena. Wright led three Cavaliers in double figures, including Lyndra Littles who netted her 1,000th-career point en route to a 17-point performance.

Littles, who tallied her second double-double of the season with 12 rebounds in addition to her 17 points, nailed a jumper in the lane with 18:26 left in the second half to become the 25th player in Cavalier history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

Aisha Mohammed was also impressive for the Cavs, notching her second career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Virginia (5-3) opened on an offensive tear, stretching its lead to 20-5 within the first eight minutes of the game. Wisconsin eventually countered behind nine first-half points from Jolene Anderson, but Virginia held a 17-point lead, 38-21, at halftime.

The Badgers made a couple of second-half runs, including an 8-0 spurt to cut the lead to 10 points at the 15:42 mark. Virginia held its ground, however, and controlled the game on the strength of tenacious defense and strong rebounding. The Cavaliers out-rebounded the Badgers, 44-33, including a 17-14 advantage on the offensive glass.

Virginia point guard Sharne Zoll chipped in eight points and dished out six assists, while Paulisha Kellum added seven points, three rebounds and four assists.

In the all-around team effort, Britnee Millner provided solid minutes and tallied three points and three rebounds, while Abby Robertson, Tara McKnight, Kristen London and Kelly Hartig also contributed key time off the bench.

Wisconsin (2-3) was led by Anderson, who finished with 18 points but was held below her season average of 25.5 points per game. Janese Banks added 14 points and six rebounds for the Badgers.

Virginia has a quick turnaround and will host Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday. Tip-off from John Paul Jones Arena is noon.