Virginia Hosts Richmond Monday Night in WNIT Second Round

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia women’s basketball team continues play in the 2012 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Monday (March 19) at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers host Richmond in a second-round game scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and a free live webcast (Cavaliers Live), along with live statistics, will be available at VirginiaSports.com. The game will air locally on WINA 1070 AM in the Charlottesville area.

Ticket prices are $9 for adults and $7 for youth, students and seniors. All tickets will be sold as general admission. Doors to John Paul Jones Arena will open at 5:30 p.m.

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 beginning 90 minutes prior to tip-off.

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

Virginia (23-10) defeated Howard in overtime, 59-56, in the first round of the 64-team postseason tournament. Lexie Gerson (Fort Washington, Pa.) was the Cavaliers’ high-scorer in that contest, followed by Ariana Moorer (Woodbridge, Va.) with 14 points and Ataira Franklin (Bowie, Md.) with 13 points.

Senior forward Chelsea Shine (Wayne, Pa.) registered six points and eight rebounds, while frontcourt teammate Telia McCall (Marietta, Ga.) tallied six points and a team-high nine boards off the bench.

Richmond (23-8) dispatched Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the WNIT, 76-54, in Richmond, Va. The Spiders are led by Abby Oliver, who averages 16.5 points per game. Rachael Bilney adds 11.6 points per game while Genevieve Okoro averages 11.1 points per game.

Richmond and Virginia met earlier this season, Dec. 4, 2011, at the Robins Center in Richmond. The Cavaliers came away with a 69-56 victory in that match-up and Moorer netted 17 points. Shine (14 points) and Franklin (10 points) were also in double figures in that contest.

Virginia has posted a 15-3 record at JPJA this season and has won five of its last six games overall.

Virginia has participated in the WNIT five times (1980, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012) and holds a 9-5 record in 14 games. It is Virginia’s 30th overall postseason appearance.

UVa advanced to the WNIT quarterfinals in 2006, 2007 and 2010 and the semifinals in 1980.

The winner of Monday’s contest will face Appalachian State at a date and time to be determined in the third round.

For more information on the 2012 WNIT, please visit www.womensnit.com.