Lady Tigers Fall In Regular Season Finale, 83-64, At Virginia

Feb. 26, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Four Lady Tigers scored in double figures as the Clemson women’s basketball team shot 53.8% from the field on Sunday afternoon, but the Virginia Cavaliers prevailed and claimed both team’s regular season finale by an 83-64 margin.

The loss dropped the Lady Tigers to 8-20 overall and 2-12 in the ACC, while the Cavaliers improved to 17-10, 5-9 in conference play.

Amanda Frist and Tasha Taylor each posted 12 points to hold game-high scoring honors for the Clemson team on Sunday. D’Lesha Lloyd added 11 and Maxienne White scored 10 in the effort. Senior Lauren Allen led the Lady Tigers on the boards with six rebounds, while Taylor also handed out five assists.

Takisha Granberry led the Virginia team with 18 points, and Siedah Williams and Lyndra Littles each totaled 17 in the win. Tiffany Sardin had a team-best nine rebounds while ACC assist-leader Sharnee Zoll dished out eight assists.

Virginia came out strong in the first half, scoring the first eight points of the game and not allowing the Lady Tigers a field goal until the 17:02 mark. Foul shots also proved to be the story of the first period, as the Cavaliers converted 11 free throws and Clemson failed to even make it to the line.

Two sophomores paced the Lady Tigers in the first half; Lloyd and Bradshaw each contributed eight points during the half. After trailing 30-29, three straight baskets by Bradshaw put the Lady Tigers within eight of Virginia with 3:45 remaining in the half.

Virginia went back ahead by 12 points at the 2:53 mark on two free throws by Takisha Granberry and then led 36-25 with 2:13 remaining. The Cavaliers’ lead was cut to seven on a jumper by Lloyd after a lay-up by Lloyd narrowed the gap to nine, but Virginia took an 12-point, 41-29, lead into halftime.

The second half was much of the same, with the Cavaliers extending their advantage to as many as 22 points with 14:28 remaining. Two made free throws by Taylor started a 13-3 run by the Lady Tigers midway through the second period to put Clemson within 12 points at the 7:39 mark. They held Virginia scoreless for almost three minutes during the five and a half minute stretch.

However, the Cavaliers regained control of the game and quickly went back ahead by a 20-point margin. Virginia then claimed the game, 83-64, for its 17 win of the season.

The seedings and pairings for the 2006 ACC women’s basketball tournament will be announced later tonight (Sunday). The first day of play will be on Thursday, Mar. 2 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.