ATLANTA (Interstat) — Virginia survived a late push to edge Georgia Tech 61-59 in a women’s Atlantic Coast Conference basketball game Thursday night at Hank McCamish Pavilion. The Cavaliers built a 31-26 halftime lead and extended it to 53-46 after three quarters. The Yellow Jackets, led by Talayah Walker’s game-high 21 points, closed the gap in the final period but fell short. Paris Clark paced Virginia with 14 points. Virginia’s defense was pivotal, blocking 13 shots and limiting Georgia Tech to 27.9% shooting from the field. The Cavaliers improved to 13-3 overall, while Georgia Tech fell to 7-10. Attendance was 1,526.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots and forced turnovers than offensive artistry, the Virginia women’s basketball team escaped Hank McCamish Pavilion with a 61-59 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest. The Cavaliers, who led for over 38 minutes of game time, saw a once-comfortable 13-point third-quarter lead evaporate in the final period but made just enough plays in the closing seconds to improve to 13-3 overall. Georgia Tech, which mounted a fierce comeback, fell to 7-10. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 24 seconds with Virginia clinging to a 59-57 lead. After a Georgia Tech timeout, the Yellow Jackets’ Catherine Alben committed a turnover, which was stolen by Virginia’s Kymora Johnson. Johnson was immediately fouled and calmly sank both free throws with 24 seconds remaining to push the Cavalier advantage to four points. Georgia Tech answered swiftly, with Brianna Turnage converting a layup off an Alben assist to cut the deficit back to two with 14 seconds left. Virginia’s ensuing inbound play then nearly proved disastrous, as Caitlin Weimar was called for an offensive foul, handing possession back to the Yellow Jackets with a chance to tie or win. Following a timeout, Georgia Tech set up a final play for leading scorer Talayah Walker. The guard drove into the lane but her contested layup attempt in the closing seconds missed, allowing Virginia to secure the rebound and the narrow victory. The game was a testament to defensive intensity and offensive inefficiency. Both teams combined to shoot just 32 percent from the field. Virginia’s saving grace was its interior defense, recording 13 blocks, led by Caitlin Weimar’s six and Tabitha Amanze’s three. The Cavaliers also dominated points in the paint, 30-22. Georgia Tech, conversely, stayed competitive by capitalizing on Virginia’s mistakes, scoring 22 points off 19 Cavalier turnovers while committing only 11 of their own. The Yellow Jackets also found success at the free-throw line, making 22 of 26 attempts compared to Virginia’s 10-of-20 performance. Virginia built its lead with a strong second quarter, outscoring Georgia Tech 18-11 to take a 31-26 advantage into halftime. The Cavaliers then opened the third quarter with a 12-4 run, extending their lead to 43-30, their largest of the night, before the Yellow Jackets began their methodical comeback. Paris Clark led Virginia with 14 points, while Kymora Johnson added 12 points and a game-high six assists. Tabitha Amanze contributed 11 points and three blocks. For Georgia Tech, Talayah Walker shouldered the offensive load with a game-high 21 points, and Brianna Turnage finished with nine points, three assists and two blocks. The game, played before a crowd of 1,526, saw Virginia defy the pre-game analytics, as National Statistical’s ELO system had projected Georgia Tech with a 58.7 percent probability to win. Virginia returns to action Sunday, hosting Syracuse. Georgia Tech will also play at home Sunday, facing Clemson.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — A surging Virginia women’s basketball team, led by the nation’s most dynamic guard, visits a Georgia Tech squad finding its footing in ACC play when the Cavaliers face the Yellow Jackets on Thursday night at Hank McCamish Pavilion. The Cavaliers (12-3, 2-0 ACC) arrive having won five straight, including a dramatic 91-87 double-overtime road victory at Florida State on Sunday. The engine is sophomore point guard Kymora Johnson, who is playing at an All-American level. In that win over the Seminoles, Johnson logged 50 minutes, scoring 31 points with eight rebounds and 11 assists. Over her last five games, she is averaging 21.8 points and 8.2 assists, including a 41-point outburst against Winthrop on Dec. 20. Virginia’s success extends beyond Johnson. Paris Clark added 22 points and eight rebounds against Florida State, while center Caitlin Weimar provides a steady interior presence, grabbing 11 rebounds in the same game. The Cavaliers’ efficient offense will test the Jackets’ defense. Georgia Tech (7-9, 2-1) has shown resilience after a tough non-conference slate, winning its first two ACC home games in thrilling fashion. The Yellow Jackets edged Notre Dame 95-90 in overtime on New Year’s Day before defeating SMU 67-59 on the road Sunday. Sophomore forward Talayah Walker has been a revelation during this stretch, posting consecutive 30-point double-doubles. She had 30 points and 11 rebounds against SMU and 33 points with 10 boards against the Fighting Irish. Walker’s emergence gives Georgia Tech a potent scoring threat to counter Johnson. Support from Jada Crawshaw and rebounding from Brianna Turnage will be crucial for the Jackets to contain Virginia’s balanced attack. The matchup pits Virginia’s high-powered, Johnson-led offense against a Georgia Tech team that has found a winning formula at home in conference play. The Cavaliers will look to continue their ascent in the ACC standings, while the Yellow Jackets aim to prove their recent success is a trend and secure a signature win. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST in Atlanta.