Senior guard Ariana Moorer (Woodbridge, Va.) paced the Virginia offense with 23 points and the Cavaliers’ defense did the rest as UVa stifled Wagner, 84-41, in its first game of the Marriott Cavalier Classic on Wednesday at John Paul Jones Arena.
The Cavaliers improved to 11-2 overall, continuing their best start since the 2008-09 squad opened with a 14-2 record. UVa also remained undefeated at home (8-0) and held an eighth-consecutive opponent to less than 60 points.
With 26 steals, Virginia tied the school record for steals in a game (Dec. 4, 1990 vs. Old Dominion).
Wagner is now 2-10 on the season.
UVa will face UMass in the championship game of the tournament on Thursday (Dec. 29) at 7 p.m. Elon and Wagner will play in theconsolation game at 4:30 p.m. prior to the title game.
After trailing 13-12 following a 3-pointer by Seahawk forward Marie-Laurence Archambault, Virginia put together an impressive 22-0 run to claim a 34-13 lead at the 4:13 mark. By the time the half was over, Virginia’s run was 28-2 and the Wahoos had secured a 40-15 lead.
It marked the fourth time this season Virginia limited an opponent to 20 orless points in the first half.
The second half was a balanced effort and the Cavaliers cruised to the 84-41 victory.
Moorer was one shy of her career high and also added six rebounds, five assists and six steals. It was her 11th-straight game of scoring at least 10 points.
Ataira Franklin (Bowie, Md.) added 19 points and six steals for the Wahoos, while Simone Egwu (Odenton, Md.) tallied her third-career double-double (first of the season) with 10 points and 10 boards.
Virginia out-rebounded the Seahawks, 48-27.
Wagner’s Jacqui Thompson and Archambault each scored 11 points.
In the first game of the tournament, UMass was victorious over Elon, 76-56. UMass’ Megan Zullo connected on five-of-six three-pointers and scored a game-high 19 points.
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