The Tina Thompson era in Charlottesville got off to a bit of a bumpy start as the Virginia Cavaliers fell to the No. 6 Mississippi State Bulldogs, 72-44. Virginia fell behind big early, but showed fight in the second half, especially in the third quarter. After getting demolished 45-17 in the first half, the Hoos tied the Bulldogs 27-27 in the second.
Third year Dominique Toussaint led the Hoos with 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting, and Felicia Aiyeotan had 16 rebounds and added four blocks. Mississippi State’s Andra Espinoza-Hunter and Chloe Bibby had 13 points each to lead the Bulldogs, and Teaira McCowan notched a double-double (12 points and 12 rebounds).