ACC-Opener for Cavaliers is a Commonwealth Clash Contest at Virginia Tech

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Jan. 3, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s basketball team (10-3, 0-0 ACC) begins Atlantic Coast Conference play when it plays at Virginia Tech (9-5, 0-1 ACC) on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. in Blacksburg, Va.

The Cavalier game will be broadcast on WINA-1070 AM with Channing Poole and Myron Ripley calling the action.

This is the first of two meetings this year between the schools and is part of the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529, which is a head-to-head, points-based competition between the athletic teams at Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Commonwealth Clash encourages a friendly, statewide rivalry between the two schools across all school-sponsored sports with 21 individual event points on the line. Fans are also encouraged to support their team through a fan-based point. The school that accumulates 11.5 points or more will be crowned the winner and take home the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash trophy. A half-point is at stake in Sunday’s game. Currently, the Cavaliers lead the Hokies, 4.5-1.5.

Virginia Tech finished the non-conference schedule with a 9-4 record, capping it off with a 60-43 home victory over Hofstra. Virginia Tech started ACC play on Friday, falling in overtime, 63-54, at Clemson. Tech has three players averaging double-digits with freshman guard Rachel Camp leading the squad with a 17.6 points per game average. Vanessa Panousis and Regan Magarity are both averaging 14.0 points per game. Magarity is averaging 10.6 rebounds per game.

Virginia is 43-10 all-time against Virginia Tech including an 18-2 record in ACC games. Virginia has won the last 16 meetings between the two including erasing a 17-point deficit last year in Blacksburg to win 67-60. Virginia Tech’s last win over Virginia was Jan 22, 2007 in Charlottesville.

Virginia is 22-15 all time in ACC openers. Last year, the Cavaliers fell 79-75 to Pitt to open conference play. The last time Virginia won its conference opener was a 77-59 victory over Wake Forest in 2008-09.

This will be Virginia’s first road game since falling at Illinois on Dec. 3.

Virginia heads into conference play after winning five of its last six games and finishing the non-conference slate with a 10-3 record.

Senior center Sarah Imovbioh (Abuja, Nigeria) led the Cavaliers through the end of the non-conference schedule. In the last five games, Imovbioh averaged 18.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Imovbioh leads the ACC in rebounding (12.0 per game) and in offensive rebounds per game (5.9) and has moved up to ranking second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game and 10th in total rebounds per game. Imovbioh is also second in the ACC in field goal percentage (63.9) and sixth in the nation. Imovbioh’s 15.6 points per game average ranks 10th in the ACC.

Sophomore guard Faith Randolph (Derwood, Md.) ranks fourth in ACC in points per game (18.9), third in free throw percentage (89.4) and 11th in steals per game (1.83). Randolph scored 27 points with four rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals in the Cavalier Classic tournament games.

The Cavaliers will be back home on Thursday, Jan. 8, hosting Wake Forest at 7 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.

Single-game ticket prices for all home games are $10 for Reserved seating, $8 for adult General Admission and $6 for youth (18 & under), senior (60 & over) and UVa faculty/staff General Admission. Fans may purchase home game tickets through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office online at VirginiaSports.com, by phone and in person. The Virginia Athletics Ticket Office is located in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).