Virginia Women’s Basketball: Fiery Offense Ignites Victory Over Wake Forest

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A second-half surge where the Cavaliers converted 50-percent of their attempts from three-point range enabled Virginia (9-6, 1-2 ACC) to secure a 69-46 victory against Wake Forest (7-6, 0-2 ACC) on Thursday evening (Jan. 2) at John Paul Jones Arena.

Kymora Johnson (16 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast) was the standout for Virginia statistically, while Breona Hurd (15 pts, 6 reb) and Latasha Lattimore (13 pts, 7 reb) also achieved double-digit scoring. Paris Clark (9 pts, 6 reb) and Olivia McGhee (9 pts, 2 ast, 4 stl) made significant contributions as well.

Virginia demonstrated impressive shooting from beyond the arc in the second half, nailing eight out of ten attempts in the third and fourth quarters. Six separate Cavaliers made successful three-point shots, with Breona Hurd (3-for-4) achieving a career-best in three-pointers.

How It Unfolded
After Lattimore made a couple of free throws, McGhee sank a three-pointer and immediately created a steal, propelling Virginia to a swift 7-0 advantage. Breona Hurd was pivotal in the first period, scoring five points on 2-for-2 shooting as the Cavaliers established a nine-point lead [18-9] entering the second quarter. Virginia capitalized on six turnovers from Wake Forest to score seven points in the initial frame.

The Demon Deacons reduced the deficit to just two [20-18] early in the second, fueled by a 13-2 scoring run linking the two quarters. Virginia was outscored 14-7 during the period and went into halftime with a slender lead [25-23]. Latasha Lattimore was Virginia’s leading scorer in the first half with seven points and six rebounds.

Virginia erupted from three-point territory in the third quarter as Edessa Noyan and Paris Clark each made a triple to kick off the second half. Following a media break, Lattimore and Hurd both connected from deep to reestablish Virginia’s nine-point cushion [40-31]. Kymora Johnson became the fifth Cavalier to drain a three in the third, increasing Virginia’s margin to 46-35 as they headed into the final frame. UVA shot an outstanding 62-percent (5-8) from three-point range in this quarter.

The Cavaliers maintained their momentum in the fourth, as Kymora Johnson scored nine of her 16 points during the period on 3-for-4 shooting. Virginia would build their lead to as much as 23 before the game concluded with a 69-46 triumph.

From Head Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton
“It feels great to capture a win on our home floor in front of our supporters. I felt we matured and we rebounded effectively. We responded well from our loss to Notre Dame, and I believe we played cohesively. Was it an impeccable performance? No, it won’t be, but I feel we improved. We just need to keep progressing.”

With The Victory

• The Cavaliers achieve their inaugural ACC triumph of the season, improving to 1-2 in conference play
• Virginia enhances its record to 72-11 in the historical series
• UVA has won the last three encounters in the regular season against Wake Forest

Game Highlights

• Virginia is 4-0 this season when limiting opponents to under 50 points
• Double-figure scorers: Johnson (16), Hurd (15), Lattimore (13)
• Paris Clark and Olivia McGhee each scored nine points
• Virginia achieved 10 three-pointers for the third time this season
• In the third quarter, the Cavaliers shot 62 percent (5-for-8) from three and 50 percent (8-16) in the second half.
• Six Cavaliers made three-pointers during the game: McGhee, Clark, Noyan, Johnson, Lattimore, Hurd, and Valenti-Paea.
• Five different Cavaliers hit three-pointers in just the third quarter: Clark, Noyan, Johnson, Lattimore, and Hurd
• Hurd set a personal best with 3 three-pointers
• Virginia out-rebounded Wake Forest by a score of 41-30
• Johnson and Lattimore each topped the team with seven rebounds
• Hurd and Clark each gathered six rebounds while Noyan secured five

Up Next:
The Cavaliers will resume play on Thursday (Jan. 9) as they head to Clemson. The game at Littlejohn Coliseum is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).