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CHARLOTTESVILLE No. 15 Virginia hosts the Marriott Cavalier Classic on Sunday and Monday (Dec. 28 and 29). The schedule is as follows: Louisiana Tech vs. UMBC (Sunday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m.); UVa vs. Rider (Sunday, Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m.); Consolation game (Monday, Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m.); Championship game (Monday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.)
Live statistics are available for all games at VirginiaSports.com and the Cavaliers’ contests will be broadcast over the airwaves in the Charlottesville area on WINA 1070 AM with Jay James, Myron Ripley and Larry Johnson calling the action. Live audio is available through V Pass. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or calling (800) 542-UVA1.
Virginia (9-2) is coming off of a 65-55 home victory over Mount St. Mary’s on Sunday, Dec. 21. The Cavaliers were led by Monica Wright with her sixth-straight 20+ point performance (27 points) and Lyndra Littles with her first double-double of the season (11 points and 10 rebounds). The Cavaliers are undefeated at home this season (5-0).
Wright leads UVa by averaging 22.8 points per game, which is also tops in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She has started all 11 of the Cavaliers’ games and also averages 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game.
Littles, meanwhile, returned after missing the fall semester for academic reasons and has put together two solid performances. Over two games, she is averaging 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Rider (2-7) is led by Tammy Meyers (15.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Shaunice Parker (10.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg). The Broncs are coming off a 63-47 loss at LaSalle on Dec. 21. Virginia leads the all-time series with Rider, 4-0, including a 98-51 victory last season in New Jersey.
UMBC (7-4) is led by Carlee Cassidy, who is averaging 24.9 points per game. The Retrievers fell to Loyola (Md.), 80-76, in their last outing on Dec. 21. Virginia and UMBC have never met in women’s basketball action.
Louisiana Tech (6-5) have three players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Shanavia Dowdell at 17.4 points per game. In its last outing, Louisiana Tech defeated Arkansas-Little Rock, 77-61, on Dec. 22. Virginia has a 2-2 overall record against Louisiana Tech, with the last meeting coming on Nov. 19, 2000 (a 72-59 Lady Techster win).