Virginia women’s basketball traveled down to San Juan, Puerto Rico Thursday for the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout — a three-game slate where the Cavaliers (6-1, 0-0 ACC) will face three out-of-conference opponents in three days. Virginia kicked off the action against Green Bay and claimed a 66-61 victory over the Phoenix (3-3, 0-0 Horizon League).
Virginia got off to a slow start, as it failed to convert on its first six field goals. It was not until over six minutes into action that sophomore guard Olivia McGhee broke the ice by connecting on a three-point shot, cutting the Green Bay lead to two. Shortly after, junior guard Yonta Vaughn drilled a three of her own to give Virginia its first lead of the game at 10-9.
After a low-scoring first quarter that ended in a score of 12-12, the shots began to fall for both teams, resulting in high-paced, back-and-forth action that resulted in six lead changes throughout the second frame. Despite improving on its first-quarter shooting, the Cavalier offense was plagued by turnovers in the second quarter. They turned the ball over to Green Bay six times — bringing their first-half turnover total to 11.
The Virginia defense brought the energy as well, though, forcing eight first-half turnovers of their own and disrupting the Phoenix's sets through the full-court press. While not ideal against Horizon League competition, the score remained close at a 29-26 Green Bay lead.
A key reason for the surprising deficit was a quiet start from the frontcourt. Senior forward Latasha Lattimore had a forgettable first half with two points and three rebounds. She had been a force down low for the Cavaliers, averaging 10 points and 12 rebounds over Virginia’s four-game win streak coming into the game. Green Bay senior forward Jasmine Kondrakiewicz appeared to make her uncomfortable on the glass early on — as she finished the first half with eight rebounds.
The Cavalier frontcourt came out of the break aggressive, though, as the combination of Lattimore and graduate center Taylor Lauterbach gave Virginia its first six points to open the half. Green Bay had a swift response though, and stretched the lead to its largest of the day at 42-36.
With just under two to go in the third quarter, Lauterbach overpowered the Phoenix defense with an and-one in the paint. Lauterbach missed the free throw, but junior guard Paris Clark was able to snag the offensive rebound, leading to a three-point shot from sophomore guard Kymora Johnson. Off of the made basket, the Cavaliers were able to set up their full-court press defense and Clark’s hustle once paid off as she stole the inbound pass and laid the ball up to give Virginia a 43-42 lead in the span of 12 seconds.
The fourth quarter went back and forth once more until clutch buckets from freshman forward Breonna Hurd would put Virginia ahead for good with three minutes remaining in the game, and Virginia was able to hold on for a 66-61 victory. Hurd contributed nine points in the final seven and a half minutes.
As per usual, Johnson led the way in scoring for the Cavaliers with 17 points. Vaughn and Hurd reached double figures as well with 12 points each. Lauterbach’s second-half contributions were also huge for Virginia in controlling the paint, finishing with eight points and nine boards, leading the way to a 44 to 30 rebound margin in favor of Virginia.
While it may not show in the box score, Clark’s tenacity on defense was an X-factor as well, as she contributed quality minutes off of the bench in her return from a foot injury. Her offensive rebound and steal to catalyze the Cavaliers’ 7-0 run late in the third proved to be the turning point and jolt of energy that Virginia needed.
This win is the first of three games over the next three days for both teams in the Puerto Rico Shootout. Virginia will face Washington State Friday at 4 p.m., and the game will be streamed on FloHoops as well as broadcast on News Radio WINA 1070 AM.
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