UVA women’s basketball hangs on for a 77-72 win at Clemson

The UVA women’s basketball team (15-7, 5-4 ACC) earned a 77-72 victory at Clemson (9-13, 1-8 ACC) on Sunday (Feb. 1) at Littlejohn Coliseum.

After a hot-shooting first half in which the team made nine three-pointers and shot 62.1 percent, the Cavaliers built up a 19-point lead, 53-34, with 17:41 left in the game. Virginia started the second half making just five of its first 21 field goal attempts (23.8 percent) while the Tigers chipped away at the lead. Clemson erased the last of the deficit and took a 68-67 on a three-pointer after having an initial shot blocked but kicking out the offensive rebound to Chelsea Lindsay on the perimeter with four minutes left in the game.

Clemson went 0-of-6 from the field in the final three minutes while Virginia got a key putback from freshman forward Lauren Moses (Mount Holly, N.J.) with 1:47 left in the game. Virginia made six free throws in the final 2:30 to shore up the victory.

“We got one or two really important stops down the stretch and played gritty in those final two minutes,” said Virginia head coach Joanne Boyle. “We really played a great first half, but we came out flat in the second half and let them back in the game. Any time you are on the road and can pull out a win, though, we will take it.”

A pair of Cavaliers logged double-doubles with senior center Sarah Imovbioh (Abuja, Nigeria) getting her 10th of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman forward Lauren Moses (Mount Holly, N.J.) had the first of her career with a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Tiffany Lewis finished with 19 points, including making five three-point baskets, to lead the Tigers. Nikki Dixon scored 17 points with 11 rebounds.

The Cavaliers had a stretch of seven-straight made baskets in the first half, using the hot shooting to take a 19-13 lead with 12:31 remaining before the break. Virginia  started the game making six of its first nine three-point attempts, ending the half at 9-of-14 (64.3 percent). In the second half, however, Virginia only took five three-point attempts with sophomore guard Breyana Mason (Woodbridge, Va.) making the lone three-pointer a minute and a half into the period.

Clemson outrebounded Virginia 45-34, including grabbing 19 offensive rebounds and scoring 21 second-chance points. Both teams scored 24 points in the paint.

Virginia had two players in addition to Imovbioh and Moses finish with double-digit points. Venson had 12, on 4-of-8 shooting, while adding four assists. Mason scored 15 points, including making three three-point baskets.

The Cavaliers begin a stretch of three-straight games against ranked opponents by playing at No. 4 Notre Dame on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Virginia returns home to host No. 17 Duke on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.and No. 9 Florida State on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.

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 openMonday 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).