The No. 5-seeded Virginia women’s basketball team takes the court tomorrow in Los Angeles against No. 12-seeded Marist in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The Cavaliers (23-9, 8-6 ACC) earned the fifth seed in the Trenton Region of the bracket after advancing to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament before falling to Duke 76-53. In the first round of the tournament, Virginia defeated Virginia Tech 66-57.
Junior guard Monica Wright has led the Cavaliers all season. Wright leads the ACC in scoring (20.5 points per game), ranks fourth in steals (2.9 steals per game) and also distributes the ball well (3.2 assists per game). Wright also has been complemented by senior forward Lyndra Littles — who also averages 20.5 ppg — since Littles rejoined the team following academic suspension earlier this season. Littles returned to the floor Dec. 18 against Monmouth, against which she contributed 17 points in a 73-45 win. In her fourth game back against Louisiana Tech, in the final of the Marriott Cavalier Classic, Littles poured in a career-high 33 points in a 68-52 victory. The senior also has collected 6.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, senior center Aisha Mohammed has been an impressive player throughout the year, averaging a double-double with 13 points and an ACC-leading 10.1 rebounds per game.
Three freshmen — guard Ariana Moorer (7 points and 2.3 assists per game), forward Chelsea Shine (5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game) and guard Whitny Edwards (4.8 ppg) — also have contributed significantly to the team’s play this season.
The Cavaliers face the Red Foxes (29-3, 16-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who are riding a nine-game win streak but did not play a tough regular season schedule. Marist faced now-No. 1-seeded Oklahoma early in the season but fell, 83-57. The team won both the regular season and tournament MAAC championships.
The Red Foxes are led offensively by junior forward Rachele Fitz, who averages 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Senior guard Julianne Viani also averages in doubles figures, putting up 15.2 ppg. Marist appears to have a stout defense, giving up only 56.7 ppg.
Should the Cavaliers win, they will face the winner of the game between No. 4-seeded California and No. 13-seeded Fresno State Monday night. If Virginia wins that game, it would then most likely face undefeated powerhouse Connecticut in the Sweet Sixteen.
—compiled by Aaron Perryman
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