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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia women’s basketball team won its eighth-consecutive Marriott Cavalier Classic, defeating East Tennessee State, 83-66, Wednesday night at John Paul Jones Arena. Cavalier junior forward Chelsea Shine (Wayne, Pa.) was named the tournament’s most valuable player after leading UVa with 22 points and seven rebounds vs. the Lady Bucs.

Virginia improved to 9-5 overall and remained undefeated at home this season with a 7-0 record. The loss dropped ETSU’s record to 4-7 on the season.

Shine finished 7-for-14 from the field, hit her first-career 3-pointer as time expired in the first half and drained 7-of-9 free throws for her second 20+ point game of the season.

Shine was joined on the all-tournament team by Ataira Franklin (Bowie, Md.), the freshman guard who netted nine points vs. ETSU in addition to dishing out four assists in an all-around effort.

Virginia jumped out to a 12-4 lead before ETSU’s Destiny Mitchell capped an 8-2 Lady Buc comeback with a lay-up to tie the game at 14 with 13:08 left in the first period. From that point, Virginia out-scored ETSU 31-12 for the remainder of the stanza and Shine nailed a deep trey as time expired to give Virginia 45-26 lead at halftime.

ETSU did not cut its deficit to less than 13 points in the second half and Virginia went on to win by a final score of 83-66.

Virginia has now won 22 of the 25 Cavalier Classic team titles since 1976 and eight-consecutive. North Carolina A&T defeated Holy Cross in the consolation game of the tournament.

The Cavaliers host Richmond on Monday, Jan. 3, to ring in the New Year. Tip-off at John Paul Jones Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.

2010 Marriott Cavalier Classic All-Tournament Team
Alex Smith, Holy Cross
Jaleesa Sams, North Carolina A&T
Destiny Mitchell, ETSU
Ataira Franklin, Virginia
Chelsea Shine, Virginia *
* MVP

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