- Virginia's 19-0 scoring run shifts momentum permanently
- Cavaliers break single-season blocks record during victory
- Pitt star Mikayla Johnson exits early with injury
In a dramatic ACC Tournament opener, Virginia's women's basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat Pittsburgh 64-50 at Greensboro Coliseum. The Cavaliers' third-quarter surge proved decisive, outscoring the Panthers 22-14 behind balanced scoring from three starters. Defensive anchor Latasha Lattimore delivered a career-defining performance with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and unprecedented steals/blocks numbers.
Regional basketball analysts noted parallels to Virginia's 2019 ACC Tournament run, where similar defensive intensity propelled an underdog squad to the semifinals. This victory marked Virginia's first tournament win in three seasons, highlighting improved player development under second-year coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. The Cavaliers' 11-block performance surpassed their previous season record, demonstrating their evolution into one of the conference's top rim-protecting units.
Pittsburgh's offensive struggles reached historic lows, converting fewer than 25% of two-point attempts despite Khadija Faye's 15-point second-half effort. The absence of injured scorer Mikayla Johnson left the Panthers without critical perimeter shooting, exacerbating their spacing issues against Virginia's packed defense. Advanced tracking data revealed Pitt shot 18% on contested layups – worst in any ACC Tournament game this decade.
Virginia's halftime adjustments proved crucial as they improved from sub-30% first-half shooting to nearly 60% accuracy after intermission. Guards Johnson and Paris Clark combined for 12 third-quarter points, exploiting Pitt's defensive rotations with calculated drive-and-kick plays. This strategic pivot echoes growing trends in women's college basketball favoring positionless lineups and high-IQ guard play during tournament scenarios.
The Cavaliers advance to face California in a Thursday rematch of their February thriller. Virginia's improved transition defense and Lattimore's interior presence create intriguing matchup possibilities against the Golden Bears' fast-paced offense. With NCAA Tournament hopes still alive, analysts suggest Virginia needs two more wins to secure an at-large bid – a scenario that would mark their first March Madness appearance since 2018.