Clemson Downs Virginia, 78-71

Feb. 15, 2001

Clemson, SC – Clemson’s starting backcourt of Chrissy Floyd and Krystal Scott combined for 35 points and eight assists to lead Clemson to a 78-71 win over Virginia Thursday night in women’s college basketball action at Littlejohn Coliseum. The victory gave Clemson a sweep of Virginia in the regular season for the first time since the 1995-96 season and just the second time since 1984-85. Clemson improved to 17-8 overall and 8-6 in the ACC. Virginia fell to 16-11 overall, 7-7 in the ACC.

Floyd, Clemson’s top scorer for the season, led the way with 18 points on 6-13 shooting, while Scott added 17 points and six assists. Marci Glenney had 14 points and eight rebounds to help the Lady Tiger cause, while Erin Batth had 12 points and six rebounds. She made 5-6 shots >from the field.

Virginia was led by Schuye LaRue, who had the game’s only double-double. The athletic center had 19 points, 13 rebounds and four steals. Svetlana Volnaya added 17 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Guard Telisha Quarles also contributed 13 points. Chalois Lias was the top reserve of the evening with 12 points and eight rebounds to go with two blocks and two steals.

Clemson shot 48 percent from the field for the game, including 45.5 percent on three-point shots. But, Jim Davis’s club, which came into the contest leading the ACC in free throw shooting, made just 21-39 for the night, 54 percent.

Clemson began the game on an 11-4 run in the first 5:32 behind six points by Glenney. Virginia battled back to make it a 17-14 game, but the Lady Tigers then went on a 10-0 run, their longest surge of the game. An Erin Batth baseline jumper at the 9:08 mark gave Clemson its largest lead of the night at 27-14.

But, Virginia went on a 9-0 run late in the half to pull within 33-29. Volnaya keyed the spurt with some outstanding shooting. Clemson scored the last four points of the half, however, to take a 38-29 lead at intermission.

The Cavaliers went on a 14-4 run to open the second half to take its first and only lead of the game at 43-42 on a three-point goal by Quarles. Clemson came back with an 8-2 run for a 50-45 lead on a drive by Scott, who went through the entire Virginia team on the play.

Clemson held the advantage the rest of the game, but it was never easy. Virginia pulled to 54-53 at the 9:38 mark, and it was just a four-point game, 73-69 with 33 seconds left. But, Floyd made one free throw, then reserve guard Andrea Gaines made two in a row for a 7-point advantage.

“Krystal Scott played very well for Clemson tonight, “said Virginia Coach Debbie Ryan. “We had trouble keeping her from penetrating our defense all night. That is a problem we usually don’t have. We scored enough points tonight, we just didn’t stop their guards from penetrating.

“We didn’t have our A game tonight because we couldn’t keep our post players out of foul trouble,” said Clemson Head Coach Jim Davis. “We did not make our free throws and we gave up too many easy shots at the end. But, we were winners and survivors. Glenney got us out of the starting gate quickly with some shots, she was able to beat Volnaya a couple times early on dribble penetration. That was a key for us tonight, we were able to drive and get some easy hoops out of our offense and on transition.”