KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Virginia women's basketball team won its first round NCAA Tournament game for the first time in three years, beating the No. 9 seed Fighting Illini, 72-56. The Cavaliers will go on to play host Tennessee tonight at 9:30 on the Volunteers' home court in Knoxville.
In a game that bore a striking resemblance to Virginia's first ACC tournament game, the Cavaliers' leading scorer on the season, Cherisse Graham, struggled, going 0-for-5 from the floor. Because of Graham's inability to score from anywhere but the free throw line, her teammates were forced to step up and take on more of the scoring burden.
"Cherisse was having a bit of an off game," junior forward Anna Crosswhite said. She elaborated that her teammates told her to be a little selfish, to help step up and score. "It was a good game for me, and I'm just glad we're still playing."
Early in the game, Crosswhite, who got her first start since Jan. 26, helped the Cavaliers secure a 9-0 lead, hitting a three-pointer two minutes into the game. Crosswhite got the starting spot when sophomore froward Brandi Teamer asked coach Debbie Ryan on game day to come off the bench.
"I feel like I get more energy coming off the bench," Teamer said. "I do a lot better coming off the bench. I think because I get to sit down and watch. But it's important that when I get in I make a big difference. It was my decision."
Crosswhite made the most of her starting role, scoring eight points in the fist half to lead all Cavaliers.
Virginia started the game in a full court trapping defense and caused three first-half Illini turnovers, helping Virginia to an early lead.
"When we saw we could make them turn it over, we kept it on a little bit longer," Ryan said of the pressure defense.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, the Illini stormed back, thanks to accurate long-range shooting by Aminata Yanni. By the end of the half, the Cavaliers found themselves down by one.
Virginia, however, was determined not to be sent home packing in the first round for the third consecutive year. Crosswhite hit a three-point shot to start the second half and the Cavaliers never lost the lead again.
The second half was marked by Virginia's dominant inside presence, as sophomore forward Brandi Teamer poured in 13 points and grabbed four rebounds to help Virginia outscore the Illini, 42-25, on the half. Time and again, Teamer would establish position on the post and power her way to the basket en route to a 17-point, six-rebound performance for the game.
In addition to the outstanding play of the forwards, junior guard Safiya Grant-Fairley had one of the best games of her career, falling just one point shy of her career-high 12 points while shooting just over 71 percent from the field. Grant-Fairley, along with Crosswhite and Teamer, put up a combined 45 points.
"Look for me to do more of that," Grant-Fairley said. "My team needs it right now and I'm going to do what I've got to do to help my team win."
The Cavalier defense also was integral in the victory -- so stifling, in fact, that the Illini had no second-half assists, as they were unable to execute their offense.
The Cavaliers had precious little time to celebrate their win as they held a closed practice Sunday to prepare for Tennessee, a team that has met Ryan's Cavaliers seven times in the NCAA tournament and has sent Virginia packing in six of those meetings.
Virginia has never beaten the Lady Vols in Knoxville, a fact with which Ryan is certainly familiar.
"I don't mind playing Tennessee away from here," Ryan said. "Eventually we'll win one."
Virginia now has won nine of its last 11 games, including contests against North Carolina, Illinois and Georgia Tech -- all teams that made the field of 64. The Cavaliers point to their experience against some of the best teams in the nation, a one-point loss to Duke and wins over both North Carolina and Rutgers as evidence that they can win tonight.
"We really, really do believe," junior guard Anna Prillaman said. "I'm not just saying it -- we can beat any team in the country if we play at our top level."
If the Cavaliers play their best game tonight, it will become apparent whether Virginia truly is capable of bucking the Tennessee trend and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
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