RALEIGH, N.C.
The final score was 66-62, but Virginia's victoryin Raleigh was more significant than just four points. It was another last minute victory, another pressure-packed shootout where the Cavaliers kept their cool and came out with the 'W.'
By evening their ACC record at 2-2, Virginia proved they can finish a game when it counts. Picking up a win on the road in this conference is no small feat, and it took minutes from every Cavalier on the bench to top their foe. N.C. State threatened throughout the contest despite their dismal 0-5 ACC record, even going on a 9-0 run early in the second half. Yet the Cavaliers quieted the Wolfpack by working the inside and crashing the boards, out-rebounding N.C. State, 39-28. Fittingly enough for a team without superstars, freshman Siedah Williams and juniors LaTonya Blue and Jocelyn Logan-Friend pulled down seven rebounds apiece to lead the Cavaliers in a three-way tie.
Winning matchups inside proved to be vital for Virginia, who had to contend with N.C. State's 6' 3" standout Kaayla Chones without suspended team leader Brandi Teamer patrolling the post. Despite gaudy stats coming into the contest, Chones' contributions throughout most of the game were minimal. She managed only two points in the first half and picked up her fourth foul with over seven minutes to play in the second half. Yet N.C. State coach Kay Yow left Chones in the game and the star responded, scoring seven points during those seven minutes, including a key free throw that tied the game at and two earlier free throws that brought the Wolfpack to within one point of the Cavaliers.
"I think we were playing defense by committee," junior forward Kate Kreager said on containing Chones.
Effort from a combination of Virginia players also worked in the paint on the offensive end of the court. Sophomore Tiffany Sardin made clear that her recovery from a preseason ankle injury is complete, scoring a career-high 14 points against the Wolfpack. Blue also had a career-high night, dishing out 10 assists and picking sharp passes that allowed Virginia to penetrate the N.C. State defense.
"We put the ball in the post and we drove a lot," coach Debbie Ryan said. "That's what we had to do because that's what the defense gave us."
The Cavaliers didn't seem to notice the height deficit off-the-court issues had caused them. In addition to playing without the 6'2" Teamer for the second consecutive game, Virginia made the trip to Raleigh without 6'4" junior Lynette O'Reggio. Yet hard work from players like Kreager, who created enough space inside to score 15 points and Williams, who kept after Chones despite a height disadvantage, made up for their absence.
After a night of tough post play, it was ironically a three point bomb by senior Anna Prillaman, on a dish from Sardin, with 1:25 to play that gave Virginia the lead for good and brought the bench to their feet. With her teammates and coaches ecstatic on the sidelines, Prillaman pumped her fist and promptly headed down the court to play defense.
The Cavaliers stayed focused to seal their third straight win, watching Blue knock down two free throws and swarming to force N.C. State's Marquetta Dickens to attempt an off-balanced shot far beyond her range as time expired.
Even without locker-room comedian Teamer around, Virginia has plenty to smile about heading into their most challenging game of the season -- this Sunday's match-up with top-ranked Duke. Even if they fall short of a win, as they did on a questionable call in the final seconds of last year's battle with the Blue Devils, a team effort like that displayed against the Wolfpack could catapult the Cavaliers to success over the course of their conference schedule.
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