Virginia makes inaugural tournament’s 2nd round

Virginia (16-15) nearly led wire to wire as the Cavaliers cruised to an 81-59 victory over High Point (20-12) in the first round of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament at John Paul Jones Arena on Thursday night. The win marked UVA’s first in postseason play since 2018 and first at John Paul Jones Arena since 2012.

The Cavaliers advance to the WBIT second round and travel to Villanova (19-12) on Sunday for a game on ESPN+.

Five Cavaliers scored in double figures. Paris Clark finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and tied her career high of six steals.

Stony Brook 81, James Madison 70: Tied 59-59 after three quarters, Stony Brook held JMU to 4-of-16 shooting from the floor in the fourth to win a WBIT first-round game in Harrisonburg.

The Coastal Athletic Association regular-season champion Seawolves (28-4) knocked down 6 of 10 3-pointers in the second half compared to JMU’s 3 of 13. SBU will head to Champaign to face Illinois on Sunday in the second round.

Villanova 75, VCU 65: Despite Sarah Te-Biasu’s 21 points and Timaya Lewis-Eutsey’s 16, the Rams (26-6) saw their season ended with a WBIT first-round loss to the host Wildcats (19-12). Lucy Olsen had 29 points for Villanova, which went on a 14-2 run for a 64-48 lead.

Penn State 84, George Mason 80, OT:

The host Nittany Lions (20-12) won a WBIT first-rounder in overtime despite trailing by 12 early in the fourth quarter.

Penn State went on an 8-0 run in overtime to go ahead 78-72 and hung on. Former Boo Williams AAU player Ashley Owusu scored 20 points for the hosts.

In her final game as a Patriot, Lake Taylor High alumna Jazmyn Doster led George Mason with seven rebounds and two blocks to go with three points.