Jan. 8, 1998

No. 9 Virginia Beats Maryland, 86-60

Game Stats

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - No. 9 Virginia came out thinking offense and redemption.

Coming into Thursday's game against Maryland, the Cavaliers had scored 80 or more points only once this season and were coming off a loss Monday to unranked Clemson.

Virginia opened the game with an 11-0 run, led 44-23 at the half and never let up in the second half en route to an 86-60 victory over the Terrapins.

"It's good to see us start putting points up on the board and see some players loosen up ... and start shooting the ball a whole lot better," said coach Debbie Ryan.

After averaging 67.8 points a game, the Cavaliers shot 57 percent (16-of-28) in the second half and 54 percent (35-of-65) for the game with Demya Walker scoring 16 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking four shots.

Maryland (9-5, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) got no closer than 58-42 after a layup by Stephanie Cross with 12:59 left.

"This team has started to get a little confidence," Ryan said. "I think the way we handled the loss at Clemson made all the difference. In the locker room, they were devastated, and I told them it was their best game of the season. ... I said, `We just have to win enough games to get in the tournament because by March, we're going to be pretty darn good."'

Erin Stovall added 15 points for Virginia (11-2, 2-2) and Dean'na Mitchelson had 11.

Cross, a reserve, led the Terrapins with 17 points, Kalisa Davis had 15 and Branka Bogunovic 12.

"We didn't try to back off or be careful," Maryland coach Chris Weller said. "We went right at them."

Regardless, Virginia scored 25 points off Maryland's 16 turnovers and limited the Terrapins to two points on second-chance shots, while scoring 22 when getting the offensive rebound. The Cavaliers had a 42-32 rebounding advantage.