Cavaliers Drop ACC Opener to No. 3 NC State, 72-61

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A lopsided third quarter proved to be the difference in Virginia’s (8-4, 0-1 ACC) ACC opener, a 72-61 loss to No. 3 NC State (13-0, 1-0 ACC) at John Paul Jones Arena Sunday night (Dec. 31). The Cavaliers clung to a one-point lead [32-31] at the half, but the Wolfpack out-scored UVA 23-8 in the third quarter to remain unbeaten on the year.

In the fast-paced affair, both teams took over 70 shots from the field. NC State shot 36 percent, while UVA shot 28 percent. The Wolfpack doubled up the Hoos in points in the paint, 32-16.

With 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Camryn Taylor tallied her 10^th career double-double – also her second of the season. Kymora Johnson (11 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast) and Olivia McGhee (11 pts, 3-4 FG, 3-4 FT) also scored in double figures for Virginia.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Johnson knocked down the game’s first bucket on a 3-pointer near the top of the key. Virginia went on to grasp a 9-5 lead before the Wolfpack scored 12 straight points to flip the score. London Clarkson went 1-for-2 at the free throw line with 30 seconds left as the Hoos trailed 17-10 at the end of the first.

The Cavaliers chipped away at State’s lead throughout the second, but regained the lead [28-26] on a 5-0 run that was highlighted by an offensive rebound and put-back from McGhee. The Wolfpack flipped the score once more before the half, but a jumper by Taylor and two free throws from McGhee helped give the Hoos a 32-31 lead at the break. Taylor had 10 of her 15 total rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play and led all scorers with nine points at the break.

The Wolfpack outscored UVA 23-8 in the third after out-rebounding the Hoos, 15-9, which led to 12 second-chance points for State. Virginia shot just 2-of-14 from the field in the period. With 10 points and 12 points midway through the third quarter, Taylor had to check out of the game after picking up her fourth foul.

In the fourth, the Wolfpack pushed out to a 20-point lead [70-50], its largest of the game, with 2:26 to play. The Cavaliers closed out the contest on a 13-2 run, which featured two 3s by Johnson and one by McGhee. UVA converted five NCSU turnovers into 13 points and knocked down four of its 11 3-point attempts. NC State’s Mimi Collins (9-15 FG, 3-5 3FG, 5 reb) scored nine of her game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter.

NOTES

• With the win, NC State took a 42-41 lead in the all-time series, which began during the 1974-75 season.
• Camryn Taylor finished with 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to tally her 10^th career double-double and second of the season.
• Taylor’s 15 rebounds are the most by a UVA individual this season and most since Mir McLean had 17 rebounds at William & Mary on Dec. 7, 2022.
• The Cavaliers led 32-31 at the half and led for 7:15 of game time.
• Virginia’s 61 total points marked a season low.
• NC State’s 56 total rebounds marked the most by a UVA opponent at John Paul Jones Arena since it opened in 2006.  The previous team opponent team record was 52 by Maryland on Feb. 11, 2007 in the inaugural season of the arena.
• Virginia recorded an attendance figure of 4,541, a season high among women’s basketball games at John Paul Jones Arena this year.

UP NEXT
Virginia travels to Georgia Tech (9-4, 0-1 ACC) on Thursday (Jan. 4) for the Cavaliers’ first ACC road contest. Tipoff from McCamish Pavilion is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).