Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 22, 1991 TAG: 9103220312
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK BABINECK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES AND WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: AUSTIN, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
In the second half, Virginia unveiled a stifling pressure defense and finally put the clamps on Oklahoma State, coasting to a 76-61 victory Thursday night at the University of Texas' Erwin Center.
The Cowgirls (27-6) fought to their sixth tie of the game with 16:41 when forward Lisa McGill, who had a team-high 17 points, hit a layup to tie the score at 46.
But the Cavaliers (29-2) embarked on a steady 10-minute charge in which Virginia outscored Oklahoma State 24-6, rocketing to a 70-52 lead that sealed the victory.
Much of that rally was sparked by national player of the year Dawn Staley, who complemented her 14 points by dishing out a Midwest Regional-record 12 assists.
Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said the improved defensive effort, particularly on Cowgirls guard Liz Brown, who had 16 points, was crucial in enabling her team to get more scoring opportunities.
"I was concerned that we were not playing intelligently defensively [in the first half]," she said. "We had to shut down Brown. She was as hot as a firecracker tonight."
Brown missed five of six second-half shots and had only three points, one of the things Oklahoma State coach Dick Halterman attributed to the Cavaliers' added pressure.
"We lost our composure with five minutes gone by in the second half," he said. "We really got frustrated and quit doing things down the stretch. Once you lose your composure, it's hard to get it back."
Virginia dominated the post position, with twin centers Heather and Heidi Burge getting 19 and 12 points, respectively.
For the game, the Cavaliers held the Cowgirls to a 43.8 shooting percentage while hitting 52.4 percent of their own shots.
"We were very physical tonight," said Heather Burge, who was the game's high-scorer. "They pushed a lot, but I think it's always a physical game in the post."
Oklahoma State center Jodi Fisher was never an offensive factor, hitting for only two points. But the Burge twins spent time warding off Cowgirls forwards McGill and Shea Jackson, who had 13.
McGill, who had only four second-half points, also was a victim of Virginia's stepped-up defensive efforts.
"Tonight they played as hard as I thought they would," she said. "I had a hard time getting my shots off; they played good defense."
After playing two consecutive close games, including an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament loss to Clemson and a last-second victory over Stephen F. Austin, Staley admitted she was relieved to have the situation in hand earlier.
"The last two games I don't really think we played the way we were capable of playing," she said. "Up until [the middle of the second half], I didn't really think we were playing up to our potential."
The first half was marked by a series of alternating scoring runs by both teams. Despite a closely played game, including a 34-34 stalemate with 3:24 left, Oklahoma State never led. But the Cowgirls consistently managed to counter Cavalier hot streaks with those of their own.
Although Virginia mounted five different leads of six points or more in the period, Oklahoma State answered each time by closing the gap to a basket or tying the score.
Virginia was the beneficiary of the last scoring streak of the period, however, and went to the locker room at halftime leading 44-40.
The Cavaliers face Lamar (29-3) 9 p.m. EST Saturday. ESPN will televise the game.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB