UVa. gets first ACC win

Wright’s 27 lead Cavs to win over Hokies

Staff Report
UVa. sports: www.virginiasports.com

Monica Wright (Woodbridge, Va.) scored 27 points to lead the 24th-ranked Virginia women’s basketball team to its first Atlantic Coast Conference win of the season, a 70-56 victory over in-state rival Virginia Tech.

Virginia’s overall record improved to 12-5, while its conference record went to 1-2. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, looking for its second-straight upset over a ranked opponent after defeating No. 10 North Carolina in its last outing, dropped to 11-6 overall, 1-2 in the ACC.

Wright’s 27 points marked her 10th 20+ point performance of the season, and the senior guard moved into the ACC’s all-time top 10 scoring list. She is now the only UVa player in the league’s all-time top 10 with 2,167 career points.

Whitny Edwards (Charlotte, N.C.) added 11 points for the Cavaliers, while Ariana Moorer (Woodbridge, Va.) had 10 points and six rebounds. Chelsea Shine (Wayne, Pa.) had a team-high eight rebounds.

The score was tied early in the first half, 11-11, before Virginia went on a 7-0 run and took an 18-11 lead with 7:01 left in the period. Whitny Edwards’ fast break lay-up capped of the run, as Virginia’s defense held the Hokies scoreless for nearly seven minutes. Virginia Tech battled back, however, and tied the game at 21 apiece with 1:20 left in the half.

Wright scored four unanswered points for the Cavaliers to give them a cushion, and two free throws by Virginia Tech’s Brittany Gordon made the score 25-23 at halftime.

Wright’s scored 10 first-half points, while Moorer added eight.

Virginia Tech opened the second half on 4-0 run to take a 27-25 lead on back-to-back baskets by Utahya Drye. After a timeout by UVa head coach Debbie Ryan, Virginia reclaimed the lead, 29-27, on a jumpshot by Moorer with 17:33 left in the game.

Virginia never trailed again, building a cushion in the second half and holding on for the 70-56 victory.

Utahya Drye scored 18 points and had seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Hokies. Lindsay Biggs added 11 points for Virginia Tech.