Posted Saturday, Nov. 19, 12:33 a.m. The University of Virginia had 43 rebounds en route to a 66-53 win over the GW women’s basketball team in both teams’ regular-season opener. The Cavaliers (1-0) took advantage of poor passes and eight missed free throws by the Colonials (0-1) to secure the win. Virginia is 25-4 in season openers.

Sophomore Kim Beck was five-for-eight from the floor and led the team with 13 points. Sophomore Sarah-Jo Lawrence went five-for-12 for 10 points. Senior captain Jessica Simmonds added another nine points while redshirt freshman Lisa Steele had five points in her first official game, including a three-pointer late in the contest.

For the Cavaliers, senior Tiffany Sardin registered the first double-double of her career with 12 rebounds and 14 points. Sophomore Takisha Granberry also had 14 points and junior Siedeh Williams notched 13 points.

Although both teams shot below 50 percent from the floor (GW shot 38.6 percent compared with the Cavaliers’ 40.7 percent), Virginia made 77.8 percent of their free throws while GW only made a third of theirs.

GW was out-rebounded 43 to 34, and the Colonials could not capitalize on their 11 offensive rebounds.

The Colonials face a week of practice before traveling to the Bahamas to participate in the Junkanoo Jam Tournament in Freeport. They are set to play Purdue on Nov. 25.