ROANOKE TIMES Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603040101 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO TYPE: ACC WOMEN SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
Laura Cottrell scored 14 points and led No.22 Clemson's dominance on the boards as the Lady Tigers beat No.8 Virginia for the third time this season, 75-67 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Rock Hill, S.C.
Clemson (21-7) again frustrated the Cavaliers with its tough half-court defense and reached the ACC championship game for only the third time and the first since 1991. The Tigers will face No.12 Duke today.
Virginia (23-6) also hurt itself by taking quick shots, and every time the Cavaliers threatened, Clemson would pull away again. Clemson became the first team to beat Virginia three times in a season since Maryland did it in 1988-89.
Stephanie Ridgeway and reserve Amy Geren also scored 14 points for Clemson and Cottrell grabbed 16 rebounds. Clemson outrebounded Virginia 49-37 and held the Cavaliers to 33 percent shooting.
Tora Suber led Virginia with 30 points and Wendy Palmer scored 17. Palmer, a two-time ACC player of the year, was blanked down the stretch, however. Her final basket was a 3-pointer with 12:48 left and her final points came on two free throws with 9:32 to play.
In another game:
No.12 Duke 79, No.19 N.C. State 62: Freshman Hilary Howard was outstanding as the Blue Devils zipped to the final of the tournament with a victory over the Wolfpack.
Duke (25-5) dominated from the start after losing to North Carolina State twice during the season and will play No.22 Clemson for the tournament championship today.
Howard scored 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting, and added nine assists and eight rebounds as Duke won for the seventh straight time. Kira Orr added 12 points for the Blue Devils.
Chasity Melvin led the Wolfpack (19-9) with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Lesley Brown (4) of Virginia follows the bouncingby CNBball along with Jeanette Davis (middle) and Angie Salyer (right) of
Clemson during their ACC tournament semifinal game on Saturday.