This weekend was filled with emotions over the honoring of Debbie Ryan and her 25th anniversary as head coach of the Virginia women's basketball team. In celebration, the Cavaliers did not disappoint, cruising to a 76-59 victory over Maryland on Sunday.
There were very few moments when Virginia (15-10, 8-6 ACC) looked in danger of losing its early lead to the Terrapins (12-14, 4-10).
The Cavaliers' shots were on the mark. They began the game by scoring 12 of the first 16 points, highlighted by one three-pointer apiece from sophomore guard Anna Prillaman and junior forward Anna Crosswhite. Crosswhite, who had a career-high four threes, shot 5-of-6 from the field to score 16 points.
The Terrapins were successful in containing center Brandi Teamer throughout most of the game, holding her to single-digits in both scoring and rebounding, a rarity for the freshman All-American candidate. With the exception of Maryland forward Deedee Warley, who scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, the Maryland post players were rather ineffective on the offensive end. Both Warley and Maryland center Jamecca Harrell, who was scoreless with only one rebound, fouled out of the game.
Teamer and Crosswhite also found themselves in foul trouble in the second half and had to play limited minutes.
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Behind rapid scoring from Warley, who made all seven of her field goals and was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, Maryland closed the deficit from 14 to three with 11 minutes 13 seconds left to play in the game. A well-balanced effort kept the Cavaliers from letting the Terrapins take control of the game.
"I was very concerned, but I thought that [reserves] Lynette [O'Reggio] and Jocelyn [Logan-Friend] went in and gave us eight extremely good minutes," Ryan said. "I was very proud of their performance. They took advantage of the opportunity that they had to go in and make a difference."
O'Reggio was crucial to the Virginia rebounding effort, pulling down seven boards. A Logan-Friend assist, on one of four field goals by guard Telisha Quarles in a span of just over three minutes, halted the Maryland comeback and began a 17-6 Virginia run. Quarles led the Cavaliers with 20 points, 15 in the second half. The Cavaliers also scored the final nine points of the game.
"I was just really down the first half," Quarles said. "I knew I needed to pick it up in the second half for the team. My shots were falling, and my teammates just kept giving me the ball."
Ryan admitted she was concerned about the players keeping their minds on the game considering all that went on this weekend, as was a worry after the 14 turnovers in the first half.
"This was a game where you could have put a lot of pressure on yourself because all the alumnae are here and a lot of people in the stands to celebrate," Ryan said. "I was just very proud that they were able to stay relaxed and stay focused"
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