CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The Virginia women’s basketball team delivered a commanding defensive performance, overwhelming Radford from the opening tip en route to a 77-46 victory Sunday afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena.

The Cavaliers’ dominance was rooted in a stifling defense and an overwhelming advantage on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. Virginia amassed 20 offensive rebounds, a stark contrast to Radford’s two, leading to a cascade of second-chance opportunities that the Highlanders could not answer.

Virginia set the tone early, with Tabitha Amanze scoring the game’s first points on a tip-in just over two minutes into the contest. The Cavaliers’ length and activity disrupted Radford’s offensive flow, forcing the Highlanders into difficult shots and a high number of turnovers. While the first quarter remained competitive, with Radford’s Angelina Nice hitting a 3-pointer to keep the score close, Virginia closed the period on a decisive 8-0 run. Paris Clark capped the surge with a stepback jumper at the buzzer, giving the Cavaliers a 26-15 lead and momentum they would not relinquish.

The second quarter saw Virginia extend its lead by methodically capitalizing on Radford’s mistakes and controlling the paint. Amanze continued her efficient work inside, while Adeang Ring provided a spark off the bench with a 3-pointer and a blocked shot. The Cavaliers’ defense held Radford to just 11 points in the period, taking a 42-26 advantage into halftime.

Any hope of a Radford comeback was extinguished in the third quarter as Virginia’s defense intensified. The Cavaliers opened the period with six unanswered points, pushing the lead to 22 and effectively putting the game out of reach. Virginia’s ball pressure resulted in numerous transition opportunities, and the team’s shot-blocking presence, led by Caitlin Weimar’s four blocks, deterred the Highlanders from establishing any consistent interior offense.

Virginia’s offensive execution was crisp, reflected in an offensive rating of 119.4 points per 100 possessions, while its defense was suffocating, holding Radford to an offensive rating of just 66.8. The Cavaliers also shared the ball effectively, dishing out 11 assists on 27 made field goals and recording 11 steals.

Amanze, a 6-foot-4 forward from Ogun, Nigeria, was the standout performer, recording a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action. Her work on the offensive glass, where she grabbed seven rebounds, was instrumental in Virginia’s possession dominance.

Clark, a guard from the Bronx, New York, filled the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks, narrowly missing a double-double. Point guard Kymora Johnson, a hometown product from Charlottesville, orchestrated the offense with eight assists to go along with nine points and three rebounds.

For Radford, which struggled to find any offensive rhythm, Cate Carlson of Virginia Beach and Joi Williams of Leesburg each finished with 10 points. Angelina Nice of Round Hill added nine points.

With the win, Virginia improved its season record to 3-1, while Radford fell to 2-3.

Virginia will look to continue its strong non-conference play when it hosts Longwood on Thursday. Radford returns home to face Furman on Wednesday.