Virginia Defeats Loyola, 71-49, in WNIT Second Round

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BALTIMORE – Virginia defeated Loyola (Md.) on the road, 71-49, in the second round of the 2011 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). UVa juniors Ariana Moorer (Woodbridge, Va.) and Chelsea Shine (Wayne, Pa.), along with rookie Ataira Franklin (Bowie, Md.) all scored 14 points apiece to lead the Cavaliers.

Virginia advances to the round of 16 in the postseason tournament and will host a familiar opponent – ACC foe Boston College – at John Paul Jones Arena on Thursday (March 24) at 7 p.m.

The win improved Virginia’s record to 18-15 overall. Loyola finished its season with a 21-13 record.

Holding on to a 6-5 lead early in the first half, UVa put together a 16-5 run to take a 22-10 lead on a lay-up by Moorer with 9:33 left in the period. Virginia kept the pressure on and took a 39-24 lead at halftime.

Franklin opened the second-half scoring with a 3-pointer from the right corner but Loyola did not go away and cut the Cavalier lead to 10 points, 42-32, at the 17:15 mark on a jumper by Nneka Offodile.

The Cavaliers responded with a 4-0 run over the next three minutes to build a comfortable 14-point lead, 46-32. From there UVa did not relinquish its double-digit lead and cruised to the 71-49 win.

China Crosby (New York, N.Y.) added 10 points for UVa.

The Cavaliers out-rebounded the Greyounds, 41-28, and pulled down 17 offensive rebounds.

Loyola’s Katie Sheahin scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Greyhounds.

Ticket prices for Virginia’s third-round WNIT game are $8 for adults and $6 for youth, students and seniors. All tickets will be sold as general admission.

Tickets can be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com, by calling the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 542-UVA1 or in person at the John Paul Jones Arena box office.

Gameday parking will be available, free of charge, at John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall parking lots.