The Virginia women's basketball team opened up exhibition play with a loss to the Moscow Dynamo at University Hall last night. After playing a tight game most of the way and surrendering a two-point lead to the Cavaliers with seven minutes left to play, the Dynamo went on a 16-0 run to put the game away, 84-72.
"I felt it was the last seven minutes where we lost the game," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "I think we got a little bit tired at the seven-minute mark and we made some errors offensively and defensively we weren't laying that well in the post."
During its run, Moscow systematically broke down the Virginia defense and controlled the defensive glass on the other end, limiting the Cavaliers to few scoring chances.
Dynamo center Irina Ossipova had little trouble using her 6-foot-5 frame to score down low for Moscow. She finished the game with 23 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Ryan was quick to point out that the poor low-post defense was not a result of being short on height, but rather short on age.
"I think it was a lack of experience," Ryan said. "I think if [the freshmen] can get a little more used to playing in the post and fronting and being more physical they'll learn what they need to do to keep the ball from going in."
The bulk of Virginia's minutes went to one senior and five freshmen, which might concern some fans. But the Cavaliers' freshmen played admirably in Virginia's 84-72 loss.
"When you're playing with high school players who are used to playing 32 minutes a game, this is a long game for them," Ryan said. "Trying to get them to concentrate for this long a period of time is what we have to get over."
"It's a big adjustment, it's a learning process," Virginia freshman forward Brandi Teamer said. "The game is a lot faster."
Even though the newest Cavaliers had trouble adjusting defensively, they seemed to have no problem scoring. The newcomers accounted for 43 of Virginia's 72 points.
Teamer and freshman guard LaTonya Blue both logged major minutes for Virginia. Teamer anchored the low-post for Virginia, finishing the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Blue finished the game with eight points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Freshman guard Bethany LeSueur also scored in double figures, with 10 points. She also dished out four assists in 25 minutes of action.
"The first-years did real well tonight," Cavaliers' senior guard Telisha Quarles said. "I think they know their roles now we all have to step up. I think they're adjusting really well, I see big things happening for us in the future"
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