No. 15 Virginia Faces No. 4 Duke Thursday at JPJA
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CHARLOTTESVILLE The 15th-ranked Virginia women’s basketball team faces its third top-5 opponent of the year when it hosts No. 4 Duke on Thursday night at John Paul Jones Arena. Tip-off is 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast over the airwaves on WINA 1070 AM with Jay James, Myron Ripley and Larry Johnson calling the action. Additionally, live video is available through ACC Select, live audio is available through V Pass and live statistics are available at VirginiaSports.com.
Thursday night vs. Duke is a Fan Appreciation Game. At each of the remaining home women’s basketball games, two season ticket holders will be selected to receive a Nike computer bag. These fans will be selected in advance and awarded their Nike computer bag on gameday.
Virginia (18-4, 4-2 ACC) got its second victory over a top-10 opponent this year, as the Cavaliers took down No. 8 Maryland at home on Jan. 30, 89-81. The Terrapins joined then-No. 5 Tennessee (Nov. 17) as an upset victim of UVa, which improved to 12-1 at John Paul Jones Arena this season.
Lyndra Littles led all scorers with 30 points against Maryland, while Monica Wright added 28 points and Aisha Mohammed had her eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan is in her 32nd year on the sidelines. The Class of 2008 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee has posted a 693-292 career record with the Cavaliers.
Wright continues to lead the team and the ACC by averaging 21.9 points per game, while Littles is right behind her at a 20.9 points per game clip. Mohammed, meanwhile, is nearly averaging a double-double with 12.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
Duke (18-2, 6-1) is coming off of a 69-58 victory over Boston College on Feb. 2 The Blue Devils are led by Chante Black (15.5 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game), Abby Waner (9.6 points per game) and Joy Cheek (9.6 points per game). Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie is in her second season in Durham and her 17th year as a head coach.
Virginia leads the all-time series with Duke, 32-26, but the Blue Devils have won the last 14 meetings. The last Cavalier victory came on Jan. 30, 2000 a 61-49 decision at University Hall.
The Cavaliers continue Atlantic Coast Conference play on Sunday, Feb. 8, when they host Virginia Tech. Tip-off from John Paul Jones Arena is 2 p.m., and UVa is celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
Looking ahead, Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. Boston College at 5 p.m. is Fan Appreciation Night at Virginia women’s basketball. Throughout the game, fans will be selected to receive various Nike prizes courtesy of the women’s basketball team. This night provides the opportunity to thank all of the fans that support the women’s basketball program throughout the year.