Lady Tigers Fall at #24 Virginia

Feb. 4, 2010

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Clemson women’s basketball team fell at 24th-ranked Virginia, 82-60, on Thursday evening at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA. Lele Hardy had 19 points to lead Clemson, but couldn’t overcome 25 points from Virginia guard Monica Wright, as the Tigers fell to 11-13 overall and 2-6 in league play. Virginia improved to 16-6 and 5-3 in the ACC. Clemson had won two-straight ball games.

Hardy started quickly, knocking in two three and scoring Clemson’s first eight points in the first 3:18 of the game. The two teams traded baskets for much of the early going, before the Cavaliers went on a 10-0 run, taking a 25-14 lead. The Cavaliers stretched the first-half lead as far as 17 in the first half, before Clemson narrowed the gap to 10 just before halftime after an and-one from Hardy. Virginia made a late hoop to take a 44-32 lead into halftime.

Hardy came out champing at the bit in the second half, scoring four straight points and forcing a Virginia timeout. With the basket, she moved into eighth on Clemson’s all-time scoring list. She also added five steals on the night, and moves within two of seventh place on the ACC’s all-time list. Additionally, she needs only 14 more takeaways to reach 25th in NCAA history.

Clemson shot 40.0% from the field, as Keyrra Gillespie hit two threes on her way to ten points. She also tied a career-best with four steals.

Clemson struggled with ball control, turning the ball over 24 times, and getting outscored in the paint, 25-22. The Cavaliers had 18 turnovers, but committed only nine fouls in the game, keeping the Tigers off the line for most of the contest.

Clemson fell to its seventh ranked opponent this season.

Clemson returns to action on Monday as they take on Georgia Tech at 7:00 pm in Littlejohn Coliseum.