Associated Press
Iolani alumna Erin Stovall, now a guard with No. 18
Virginia, makes a pass around Maryland's Kelley Gibson
last night. Stovall led the Cavaliers with 19 points
as they beat the Terrapins, 69-55.

Stovall lifts
No. 18 Virginia

Associated Press

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Virginia wasn't about to let another lead slip away.

Erin Stovall scored 19 points, including a clutch 3-pointer down the stretch, as No. 18 Virginia defeated Maryland for the 16th straight time last night, 69-55.

Virginia (16-6, 9-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed in the second half but led by only three points until Stovall, the former Hawaii prep star from Iolani School, hit a 20-footer to start a game-ending 11-0 run.

In their previous game, the Cavaliers blew an 18-point lead in the second half of a loss to Duke. This time, Virginia turned it on at the end.

"We buckled down," Cavaliers coach Debbie Ryan said. "We really stepped it up at the end and I think they were hurrying the ball and fouling too much."

After Stovall's basket, Renee Robinson and Monick Foote made one of two foul shots and Stovall hit a pair from the line to make it 65-55 with 1:52 left.

Foote and DeMya Walker had 13 points apiece for Virginia.

Deedee Warley had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Terrapins (5-17, 2-10) and Kelley Gibson scored 16 but had eight turnovers. Despite committing 24 turnovers, Maryland had a chance to win before going scoreless in the final 3:51.

Virginia opened the second half with an 8-2 run to go up 35-27 and led 45-35 before Warley scored seven points in a 14-7 spurt.

The Terrapins remained close until Stovall's long-range jumper made it 61-55 with 3:13 to play.