No. 14 Virginia Tops Manhattan, 86-68

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Monica Wright exploded for 25 points on 10-for-10 shooting in the second half as part of a 31-point performance as the No. 14 Virginia women’s basketball team scored an 86-68 victory over Manhattan Sunday afternoon in the 2009-10 home opener at John Paul Jones Arena.

Wright finished 12-for-14 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line as she fell four points shy of her career high of 35 points, set last year at Tennessee.

Freshman Simone Egwu added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Chelsea Shine scored eight points and added eight boards. UVa dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Jaspers 46-29.

The teams were tied at 10 with 14:11 left in the first half before the Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run over the next five minutes to stretch the lead to 22-10. UVa’s lead never went below double figures the rest of the way.

Virginia (2-0) then further extended the lead late in the first half, using an 11-0 run to push the advantage to 23, 38-15. Manhattan cut the UVa lead to 12 with 9:15 left in the second half, but Wright scored 10 points in a 13-0 Cavaliers’ run to give UVa its biggest lead of the game and put the game out of reach.

Manhattan (1-1) was led in scoring by Alyssa Herrington, who had 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Michelle Pacheco added 15 points and eight assists.

Virginia next plays at 7 p.m. Wednesday as it welcomes USC Upstate to JPJA. The Cavaliers then play host to No. 8 Tennessee at 4 p.m. next Sunday.

General Admission tickets are still available for the Tennessee game. In an effort to set a new UVa single-game attendance record, the contest between the Cavaliers and Lady Vols is Hot Dog Day and every fan in attendance will receive a coupon for a free Gwaltney hot dog and a 12-ounce Pepsi.