Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton’s team has endured a myriad of setbacks throughout the 2024-25 campaign. From blowout losses to fourth quarter collapses, Virginia women’s basketball has endured a disappointing season. Sunday in Chapel Hill, N.C., that sentiment may have changed.
Against No. 8 North Carolina, the Cavaliers (16-14, 8-10 ACC) pulled off a historic upset. For the first time since 2001, Virginia won in Chapel Hill. Yet, for most of the game, it appeared as if the top-10 ranked Tar Heels (25-6, 13-5) would emerge victorious. The turnaround happened, simply, because the Cavaliers overcame their lingering weaknesses.
At halftime, Virginia trailed 30-41. Star sophomore guard Kymora Johnson had scored zero points. The heart of the Cavalier offense, Johnson’s rare scoring drought should have spelled doom. However, it did not. Despite a slow start, Johnson finished with 15 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
While Johnson was kept off of the scoreboard, senior forward Latasha Lattimore carried the load, leading the team with 23 points and a plus-minus score of 10. Lattimore also notched three blocks, to finish with 63 total blocks on the season. That mark ranks sixth in program history for a single season.
Junior guard Paris Clark also made her presence known, scoring 17 points — second to only Lattimore. That duo leading Virginia in scoring was especially noteworthy, because all season, the offense had seemingly over-relied on Johnson. That was not the case Sunday.
Another huge win came from beyond the three-point arc, as Virginia shot a blistering 47.8 percent from deep. Before Sunday, the Cavaliers had averaged 31 percent from three-point range. Sophomore forward Edessa Noyan made four of her six three-point attempts, and finished the day with 16 points, tying her career-high.
Just as the offense came alive, so did team defense. After surrendering 27 points in the first quarter, Virginia held North Carolina to just 14 points in the second quarter, 19 points in the third quarter and 15 points in the fourth quarter.
The reversal of long-term weaknesses was especially impressive considering that the Cavaliers fielded just six players. Because there was only one option off the bench — freshman forward Breona Hurd — four Cavaliers had to play north of 35 minutes, and Johnson played all 40 minutes.
In contrast, 10 Tar Heels made an appearance. North Carolina had the advantage of being able to rest its starters more often — in addition to having home-court advantage. Despite those factors, Virginia never caved.
The victory was a statement. Sunday’s win was Virginia’s first over a ranked team since March 3, 2024. Even though the Cavaliers did not compile a breakout season as some may have expected, they can find a silver lining with a signature win.
There may even be a larger silver lining that could still be earned. The ACC Tournament bracket will be released later tonight or early Monday morning. If Virginia can go on a run and knock down some top ACC foes, then the season could be extended beyond a lousy spot in a low-level invitational.
Winning the ACC Tournament would guarantee an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. But even if that doesn’t happen, the Cavaliers could earn a high seed in the National Invitational Tournament if they do well in the conference bracket. So while the Cavaliers can celebrate a monumental upset over the Tar Heels — and deservedly so — there is certainly more work to be done.
Read More
On Senior Day, the usual emotion and a reminder of a new age
By Michael Liebermann | 6 hours agoVirginia's two seniors have each been here four years, and that, today, is rather rare.
Middle-innings surge propels No. 10 Virginia to victory over Dartmouth in series finale
By Ryan Weiner | 11 hours agoThe Cavaliers now boast a four-game winning streak.
No. 11 women’s lacrosse rides dominant offensive play to victory over California
By Peter Kratz | YesterdayVirginia's first ACC win was a lopsided one.
