The Virginia women's basketball team came out with a win last night when it faced Florida State in a closely contested match-up at University Hall. With a 66-62 victory, the Cavaliers (11-8, 4-4 ACC) defended their unbeaten record against the Seminoles (11-8, 2-6) in Charlottesville, which now stands at 21-0.
Freshman Brandi Teamer sparked the Cavaliers' win with aggressive play and 26 points. Teamer was only one of many young Virginia players to excel.
"We're getting better play out of players that weren't really giving as much at the beginning of the year." Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said.
With 2 minutes 22 seconds to go, Teamer sunk two free throws to put the Cavaliers up by five. Following a Virginia time-out with 8.5 seconds to go, FSU's Shinikki Whiting drew a shooting penalty and Virginia's Anna Prillaman sunk both free throws to clinch the victory for the Cavaliers.
Senior Telisha Quarles also gave a solid performance to seal the win for the Cavaliers. She had 10 points.
Florida State scored first, but the Cavaliers quickly answered and gained the lead. While the Cavaliers stayed ahead for all but one minute of the first half, FSU never gave them room to get comfortable.
The Seminoles' Tasheika Morris, Katelyn Vujas and Whiting answered the Cavaliers consistently and performed well at the free throw line. Morris went made all four of her free throws, Vugas all six of hers and Whiting all five of hers.
Morris led the Seminoles with 18 points and nine rebounds. Vujas posted eight points and four rebounds, and Whiting put up seven points and snagged seven rebounds.
But Virginia by FSU's Morris with 15:47 to go put the Seminoles ahead. They still went into the locker room at halftime holding a 38-33 lead.
The even play continued into the second half, as Virginia sophomores Prillaman and Anna Crosswhite kept up a level of physical play.
FSU's leading scorer, April Traylor, intercepted a pass meant for the Cavaliers' LaTonya Blue (who was playing despite a broken finger) and made a running jump shot, sparking an FSU comeback.
A three-pointer held that lead for another seven minutes by shutting down the Cavaliers' offense and making their free throws.
With 8:41 to play, Virginia's junior Liz Sahin took a pass from Prillaman and converted a three-pointer to give Virginia back the lead. From there, the Cavaliers held onto their lead.
As the Cavaliers mark the halfway point of the season, they continue to focus on the fact that every game is important, especially in a conference where coach Debbie Ryan recognizes that "any team could beat us."
The Cavaliers realize the importance of focusing and playing hard in every game they have left because they are only two games out of last place in the conference.
"We knew as a team that we were better than last or finishing last in the conference," Quarles said.
Moving into the second half of the season, however, this young team is coming together.
Ryan is happy with the team's progress, and hopes to build on the lessons of last night's game when the Cavaliers face North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sunday at 2 p.m.
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