Jan. 2, 2008

Zoll, Wright and McKnight Propel Virginia Past Rider, 98-51

Tara McKnight scored a career-high 15 points, Monica Wright added 16 points and Sharneé Zoll returned to the state she played high school basketball in to explode for 21 points as Virginia beat Rider, 98-51, Wednesday night in Alumni Gymnasium.

Prior to the game, head coach and New Jersey native Debbie Ryan was recognized for her sponsorship of a Courage Award to be given to a Mercer County athlete named in honor of Chris Somma. Somma was a Hamilton High West basketball player who succumbed to cancer last year.

In its highest points total of the season, Virginia connected on 14-of-25 3-point attempts, a school-record. The Cavaliers improved to 10-4 on the year.

Zoll was outstanding, shooting 7-of-8 from the field, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. She also dished out six assists and had four steals. Wright, meanwhile, scored in double figures for the 12th-straight game and McKnight's career night included five 3-pointers.

Hurricanes Stay Hot in Final Non-Conference Game

The University of Miami women's basketball team (7-8) completely out-played their second straight opponent in an 88-57 win over the Charleston Southern Lady Bucs (3-11) at the BankUnited Center Wednesday afternoon.

The Hurricanes didn't cool off from their blow-out win over Central Arkansas just three days ago, as they shot a sizzling 67.7 percent from the field in the first-half and 59 percent for the game.

Maurita Reid was nearly flawless, especially in the first half, where she scored 20 of her season-high 27 points. The senior guard was 8-9 from the field in the opening period, including 4-4 from three-point land. Reid ended the game with five three three-point field goals for the second straight game, tying her career-high.

Tech Earns 450th Victory with 79-42 Defeat of Jackson State

Four Jackets scored in double-figures as the Georgia Tech women's basketball team (13-1) picked up the program's 450th victory with a 79-42 win over Jackson State (2-8) at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The Jackets improved to 8-0 at home this season after finishing with 17 steals and forcing the Tigers into 29 turnovers. The swarming Tech defense also held Jackson State to only 25.9 percent shooting from the field in its second largest margin of victory this season.

Senior Janie Mitchell led all scorers with 18 points, her eighth-straight double-digit scoring effort. Freshman Alex Montgomery finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks and senior Jill Ingram added 12 points and four assists off the bench.

Clemson Women's Basketball Falls In Final Minutes At Charlotte, 62-58

Charlotte's Traci Ray drained a three-point shot with just under two minutes remaining to put her team on top and added a free throw with 11.7 seconds left as the 49ers defeated Clemson, 62-58, on Wednesday night at the Halton Arena in Charlotte, NC.

Rookie Sthefany Thomas posted a career-high 21 points off the bench for the Lady Tigers, including four from long range, while talling five rebounds and three steals in the effort.

With the score even at 52 at the 5:36 mark, Whitney Hood made a field goal just inside the three-point line as the shot clock expired. Following a 49er foul shot, Thomas scored underneath the basket to tie her personal best.