Virginia Closes Out Non-Conference Slate; Hosts Fordham for Holiday Game

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (7-3) concludes its 2023-24 non-conference campaign on Thursday (Dec. 21), when the Cavaliers welcome Fordham (5-6) to John Paul Jones Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

PROMOTIONS

• Thursday’s game has been designated the Hoos’ Holiday Game. Fans are encouraged to wear holiday-themed sweaters.
• Additionally, Santa Claus will be available for pictures on the concourse level of John Paul Jones Arena. Pictures will begin at 5 p.m., when gates open, and conclude at tipoff (approximately 6 p.m.).

BROADCAST INFORMATION

• Thursday’s contest will stream on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) on espn.com/watch and the ESPN app.
• Fans can also tune in via WINA (98.9FM/1070AM), VirginiaSports.com and the Virginia Sports mobile app.
• Live statistics can be accessed on VirginiaSports.com and the UVA Sports mobile app.

SERIES HISTORY

• UVA leads the all-time series with the Rams, 2-0.
• The two teams first went head-to-head on Dec. 28, 1988 at Villanova’s Wildcat Classic tournament, where the Hoos won 98-86. Virginia’s Tonya Cardoza scored 35 points in the win, which is currently tied for sixth all-time in UVA single-game history.
• The only other time UVA and the Rams went head-to-head was on Dec. 29, 1994, when the Cavaliers posted a dominant 105-55 win in Charlottesville. UVA’s 105 total points are currently tied for 16th all-time in UVA single-game history.

LAST TIME OUT

• Virginia dropped a heartbreaker to Wofford, 71-70, in John Paul Jones Arena last Saturday (Dec. 16).
• The Terriers’ Rachael Rose (21 pts, 10 reb, 9 ast) hit the game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds remaining.
• The loss snapped the Cavaliers’ three-game win streak.
• Virginia out-rebounded Wofford, 45-27.
• Olivia McGhee (14 pts), Paris Clark (14 pts, 5-9 FG, 5 reb) and Camryn Taylor (13 pts, 6-9 FG, 4 reb) led the Hoos in scoring. Kymora Johnson tied her season high of nine assists.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS

• Under head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, UVA is 18-3 against non-conference opponents.
• The Cavaliers won their first 14 non-conference matchups before falling to No. 25 Oklahoma, 82-67, on Nov. 19.

OLD SCHOOL BASKETBALL

• Virginia is currently third in the nation in offensive rebounds (18.4/gm), fifth in total rebounding (48.4/gm) and eighth in free throw percentage (80.7).
• The Cavaliers are 7-1 this season when either leading or tying their opponents in rebounding.
• UVA has shot at least 80 percent from the charity stripe in six games this season.
• Among all Division-I players, Camryn Taylor (92.0) is ninth in the nation in free throw percentage, also good for first in the ACC.

CAMRYN TAYLOR PROPELING THE HOOS

• Fifth-year forward Camryn Taylor has led UVA in scoring in five games this season, including when she scored a season-high 26 points in the Cavaliers’ overtime win over Missouri (Nov. 30.
• Her 26 points against the Tigers were just one shy of tying her career high.
• Taylor has scored in double figures eight times this season and recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds against Rider (Dec. 6).
• She currently leads the ACC in both free throw percentage (92.0) and is second in total free throws made (43).
• At La Salle (Dec. 3), she went 10-for-10 at the charity stripe without hitting a basket from the field.

JOHNSON, VAUGHN AMONG THE ACC’S ASSISTS LEADERS

• Kymora Johnson (5.3 apg) and Yonta Vaughn (4.2 apg) are the only two teammates in the ACC averaging at least 4.2 assists per game.
• Virginia is one of just nine schools nationally with two players on its roster averaging at least 4.2 assists per game.
• Johnson is currently fifth in the league in assists per game, while Vaughn is 12th.
• Johnson is currently third in assists per game among all freshmen nationally.

ON THE HORIZON

• Virginia opens ACC play on Sunday, Dec. 31 against NC State, which is currently ranked No. 3 in this week’s AP top-25 poll.
• Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network.