Nov. 21, 1997

Twelfth-Ranked Virginia Defeats Kent, 67-54

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Senior guard Mimi McKinney scored 20 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 67-54 win over Kent tonight in University Hall. Junior forward DeMya Walker, who was held to only seven points, blocked six shots, one off the school single game record.

Kent jumped out to an early 10-6 lead, but a three-pointer by McKinney and a lay-up by junior Lesley Brown gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the night at the 13:00 mark of the first half. Kent tied it at 17-17 at the 8:31 mark, but then Virginia outscored the Golden Flashes 15-7 to close out the first half.

The second half started with a 6-0 run by Kent, but a 10-foot jumper by Virginia sophomore guard Renee Robinson ignited an 13-4 surge that put the game out of reach. McKinney, who scored only five points in the first half, was 3-5 from three-point range in the second half. sophomore forward Lisa Hosac recorded a her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Erin Stovall was the only other Cavalier in double figures with 10 points.

Sophomore guard Dawn Zerman led Kent with 16 points and senior forward Carrier Templin added nine points. The Cavaliers, who were out-rebounded in their first game of the season, controlled the boards with 43-32.

"There are people who know what to do and know how to score," said Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan. "McKinney and Stovall really helped us tonight. It helped for those two to help open up the inside because Kent was doubling and tripling down on the posts. We also did a better job on the offensive boards."

"It was a tough opener for us," said Kent head coach Bob Lindsay. "Virginia is strong in the middle and their offensive rebounding was probably the difference in the game. We will use this game as a builder for our conference season."

Virginia returns to action on Nov. 23 when they host West Virginia at 2:00 p.m. in University Hall. Kent plays at St. Peters on Nov. 25.