January 21, 2010

The Cavalier women's basketball team traveled to Boston College on Thursday night in search of its second straight win and needed every bit of effort to get it. In a game that went back and forth, Virginia was ahead when the final buzzer sounded and earned the 70-68 win over the Eagles.

The first half saw the two teams battle back and forth with Virginia taking the 34-30 lead into halftime. Boston College stormed out of the gates in the second half and built a 55-46 lead with 10:42 remaining in the game. The nine point margin marked the Eagles' largest lead, but the Cavaliers responded with an 8-0 run to pull to within one point. The two teams traded baskets and found themselves tied at 66 with one minute to play in the game. Tied at 68, Paulisha Kellum got the ball in her hand, drove the lane, and hit the game winning bucket with four seconds remaining, giving Virginia the 70-68 victory.

Monica Wright finished the game with a career high 39 points, which ties her for second highest single game scoring total in Cavalier history. Current assistant Wendy Palmer also scored 39 points in a game back in 1995. The record is 48 points by Mimi McKinney in 1998. Wright also climbs to eighth on the all-time ACC career scoring list. She boasts 2,206 career points.

Chelsea Shine added 13 points and eight rebounds to Wright's big showing. Virginia improves to 13-5 on the year and pulls to an even .500 record in the ACC at 2-2. The Cavaliers next match up will be on Sunday, as they welcome Georgia Tech to John Paul Jones Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.