CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The Virginia women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter to secure a 76-50 victory over Howard on Wednesday night at John Paul Jones Arena.

The Cavaliers opened with a 31-point first quarter, establishing a lead the Lady Bison never threatened. Virginia improved to 8-3, while Howard fell to 7-5.

Sa’Myah Smith and Tabitha Amanze led Virginia with 18 and 13 points, respectively. Howard’s Zoe Stewart scored a game-high 18 points in the loss. Virginia’s defense was stifling, blocking 10 shots and holding Howard to 35 percent shooting from the field. The Cavaliers also controlled the glass with 15 offensive rebounds before an announced crowd of 3,611.