Behind 21 points from sophomore guard Ataira Franklin, the Virginia women’s basketball team beat Boston College 69-58 Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena. Franklin (Bowie, Md.) was one of four Cavaliers in double figures.
Virginia improved to 15-6 overall and 3-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Boston College fell to 5-14 and 0-6 in the league.
Junior guard Lexie Gerson (Fort Washington, Pa.) had a solid night with 13 points, eight rebounds, six steals and five assists. Junior forward Telia McCall (Marietta, Ga.) added 12 points off the bench while senior forward Chelsea Shine (Wayne, Pa.) chipped in 11 points and matched Gerson with a game-best eight boards.
The Cavaliers scored 26 points off 20 Boston College turnovers and despite being outplayed on the boards early, came back to win the rebounding battle, 34-33.
In a contest that included 10 lead changes and six ties, Virginia jumped out to an 8-2 lead after a Franklin steal and fastbreak layup, but Boston College went on a 18-6 run to take a 20-14 lead midway through the first half. The Eagles jumped out to their largest lead at nine points, 27-18, with 6:22 to play. UVa was able to cut the deficit to just one point, 32-31, at the half.
Boston College maintained its lead early in the second half and after a 3-pointer from Shayra Brown and led by four, 45-41, with 12:43 to play. Two free throws from Gerson and a Franklin layup following an Ariana Moorer (Woodbridge, Va.) steal tied the game at 45. Then, a Franklin 3-pointer with 11:02 to play gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the second half, 48-45.
Virginia ended the game on a 17-6 run during the final eight minutes to come away with the victory.
Brown led Boston College with a game-high 25 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers are back in action Wednesday (Jan. 25) at Georgia Tech.
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