NEWTON, Mass. (Interstat) — The Virginia women’s basketball team delivered a commanding defensive performance and rode a dominant first quarter to an 81-55 victory over Boston College in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Sunday at Silvio O. Conte Forum.

The Cavaliers improved to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, while the Eagles fell to 4-8 and 0-1.

The most important segment of the game came at the outset, as Virginia established immediate control. The Cavaliers opened the contest with stifling defense, forcing Boston College into difficult shots and turnovers. Virginia capitalized with a 26-point first quarter, connecting on 10 of its first 16 field goal attempts. Meanwhile, the Eagles managed only 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in the period, setting a tone of Virginia superiority that would last the entire afternoon.

Virginia’s defensive pressure never relented. The Cavaliers held Boston College to 29.7% shooting from the field for the game, including just 19.2% from three-point range. Virginia also registered nine blocks and eight steals, disrupting the Eagles’ offensive flow consistently. The Cavaliers’ offensive rating of 122.1 points per 100 possessions starkly contrasted with Boston College’s rating of 78.4, underscoring the efficiency gap.

Paris Clark led a balanced Virginia attack with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kymora Johnson matched Clark’s 13 points and dished out a game-high nine assists. The Cavaliers’ interior presence was overwhelming, as Tabitha Amanze posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Sa’Myah Smith added 12 points, and Romi Levy contributed 11 points and three blocks. Adeang Ring anchored the paint defensively with seven rebounds and two blocks.

Boston College was led by Athena Tomlinson’s 15 points and Erin Houpt’s 12 points off the bench. The Eagles struggled to find consistent offense outside of that duo, committing 10 turnovers against only six assists as a team.

After building a 40-21 halftime lead, Virginia extended its advantage to 62-35 by the end of the third quarter. The Cavaliers’ largest lead reached 31 points in the final period before both teams emptied their benches. Boston College outscored Virginia 20-19 in the fourth quarter against mostly reserve players.

Virginia shot 54.1% from the field and won the rebounding battle 45-35, including 14 offensive boards that led to 15 second-chance points. The victory marked a strong start to conference play for the Cavaliers, who had dropped their previous game at Vanderbilt on Wednesday.

Boston College, coming off a 27-point loss to Quinnipiac, has now lost five of its last six games. The Eagles will look to regroup before hosting Bryant on Tuesday.

Virginia returns home to face Howard on Wednesday. The Cavaliers’ next ACC contest is at home against Clemson on Jan. 1.

Attendance was 836 at the Conte Forum.