Big Second Half Propels UVa Past Radford, 76-52

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia women’s basketball team put together a key 12-0 second-half run to create separation and eventually defeat Radford, 76-52, Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena. Lexie Gerson (Fort Washington, Pa.) finished with a career-high 19 points to lead the Cavaliers.

With its second-consecutive victory, Virginia improved to 6-4 and remained undefeated this season in John Paul Jones Arena (4-0). The Highlanders’ record dropped to 2-5 overall.

Six different Cavaliers scored baskets to open the game and UVa took a 12-3 lead at the midway point of the first half. The Cavaliers extended their lead to 10 points, 18-8, before the Highlanders battled back to make it a 20-16 game at the 5:13 mark.

Virginia led, 32-25, at halftime.

In the second half, Radford was within one basket with 15:32 left after a 3-pointer by Denay Wood that made the score 38-36. From there, UVa went on a 12-0 run that included two treys by Gerson to take a 50-36 lead.

That separation proved to be all the ‘Hoos needed to close the game, as they won by a final score of 76-52.

Gerson was 6-for-15 from the field and connected on three 3-pointers. She added team highs in assists (five) and steals (four).

The Cavaliers out-rebounded the Highlanders, 40-34.

Four Cavaliers scored in double figures for the third time this season, as Gerson was joined by Chelsea Shine’s (Wayne, Pa.) 12 points, Ariana Moorer’s (Woodbridge, Va.) 11 points and Ataira Franklin’s (Bowie, Md.) 10 points.

Radford’s high scorer was Wood, who finished with 13 points.

Up next, Virginia hosts UMBC on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.