Feb. 11, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of Virginia women’s basketball team overcame a 13-point second half deficit to defeat Georgia Tech, 85-79, Monday night at University Hall.
The Cavaliers improved to 13-10 overall and 6-6 in ACC play, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 14-9 overall and 7-6 in the conference.
UVa sophomore Anna Prillaman (Midlothian, Va.), who finished with a career-high 22 points, launched a career-high six treys while tying the school record for treys in a half with five in the second stanza. As a team, the Cavaliers also tied the school record with 11 buckets from long range.
In the first half, Georgia Tech led by as many as 13 points, 33-20 with 6:35 to go. The Cavaliers battled to within six, 38-32 with 1:03 remaining, but Tech led at intermission, 42-32.
“They were scoring at will basically,” Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan said of Tech’s first half. “We needed to play better defense. We went out (in the second half) to get offensive boards.”
In the second half, Tech went ahead by 13 on a three-point play by Milli Martinez, 45-32. Then the Cavaliers went on a 9-3 run and fed the ball to Prillaman, who connected on two consecutive treys to bring UVa within one, 50-49 with 14:40 to go. The Cavaliers took over the lead for good on an 18-foot jumper from sophomore Anna Crosswhite (Castlecrag, Australia), 57-55, and built their lead to as many as nine points to close out the half.
“Congratulations to Debbie and her team,” said Georgia Tech head coach Agnus Berenato said. “They played a great game. It was truly a great team effort. The way they shot the ball tonight was truly amazing. We tried a variety of defenses.”
Following Prillaman’s 22 points, freshman Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) added 19 points, Crosswhite finished with 16 points, and senior Telisha Quarles (Louisa, Va.) had 13. The Cavaliers committed a season-low seven turnovers.
“Teamer picked up the intensity,” Berenato added. “She put the team on her back.”
Martinez finished with 25 points, including 13-15 from the line. Sonja Mallory added 13 points.
“We wanted to keep extending our lead,” Teamer said. “A lot of people stepped up for us.”
Overall, Tech out-rebounded Virginia, 42-33.
