Cavaliers Prepare for Golden State Challenge Against California
Virginia women’s basketball (17-7, 9-4 ACC) heads west to face California (15-10, 6-6 ACC) on Thursday, February 12, with tipoff scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Haas Pavilion. The Cavaliers are looking to rebound after a strong win against Notre Dame and continue their impressive season, marked by dominance in key statistical categories.
Broadcast Details & Game Access
Fans can catch the action via a live stream on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), accessible through WatchESPN.com and the ESPN App. For those preferring radio coverage, the game will also be broadcast on WINA (98.9-FM/1070-AM), VirginiaSports.com, and the Virginia Sports mobile app. Real-time game statistics will be available on StatBroadcast, accessible through VirginiaSports.com.
Virginia’s Dominant Form
The Virginia Cavaliers are averaging a robust 77.0 points per game while holding opponents to just 62.3. A defining characteristic of this team is their defensive prowess, currently leading all of NCAA Division I with an impressive 7.3 blocks per game. Offensively, UVA ranks ninth nationally and first in the ACC, averaging 18.6 assists per game. In its 53rd season of women’s basketball, Virginia boasts an overall record of 1,010-571 (.638).
Series History & California Challenge
The all-time series between Virginia and California currently favors the Golden Bears, 4-3. However, the Cavaliers secured their lone road victory against California on December 28, 1997, with an 81-66 win. Last season saw California emerge victorious in a regular season matchup at JPJ, 76-70. The teams also met in the second round of the 2025 ACC Tournament, resulting in a 75-58 win for Cal.
California Road Trip: A History of Success
Thursday’s game marks the 17th time Virginia will play a contest in the state of California. Historically, the Cavaliers have found success in the Golden State, holding a 12-4 record. This will be the team’s first game in California since 2019, when they split a pair of games against USC and Cal State-Northridge. Virginia has also participated in four NCAA tournament games within California, including a memorable Final Four appearance against Stanford in 1992.
Kymora Johnson: A Rising Star
Kymora Johnson is having a record-breaking season for the Cavaliers. She has already connected on 73 three-pointers, setting a new single-season program record. Johnson is also closing in on Tora Suber’s program record for career three-pointers, currently holding 201 compared to Suber’s 220. Her performance reached a peak with a UVA single-game record of 10 three-pointers against Winthrop on December 20. Currently ranked eighth in NCAA Division I and leading the ACC with 73 three-pointers, Johnson recently surpassed 1,500 career points in the 81-70 win over Notre Dame on February 8.
Recent Performance: Victory Over Notre Dame
The Cavaliers secured an 81-70 victory over Notre Dame on February 8 at JPJ. Johnson led the scoring with 29 points, surpassing the 1,500-career point milestone, while also contributing four rebounds and five assists. Paris Clark added 15 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, and Tabitha Amanze rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points. Virginia controlled the boards, outrebounding the Irish 38-34, and capitalized on Notre Dame’s turnovers, scoring 22 points off of 19 giveaways.
Dominating the Paint: Blocks and Rebounding
Virginia’s defensive strength is highlighted by their NCAA-leading 7.3 blocks per game. The team has recorded at least 10 blocks in four games this season against Georgia Tech, FSU, Howard, UMES, and Morgan State. Tabitha Amanze leads the Cavaliers with 36 blocks, and eight different players have reached double-digit block totals. On the rebounding front, Virginia is fourth in NCAA Division I and leads the ACC with a rebounding margin of 11.7, averaging 15.5 offensive rebounds per game. Caitlin Weimar leads the team with 66 offensive boards, followed closely by Amanze with 61.
Assist Leaders & Team Play
The Cavaliers’ offensive flow is fueled by their exceptional passing, ranking ninth in NCAA Division I and first in the ACC with 18.6 assists per game. They have recorded 20+ assists on eight occasions and 18+ assists 14 times this season. Kymora Johnson is a key facilitator, ranking tenth in Division I and leading the ACC with an average of 6.3 assists per game. With 507 career assists, Johnson currently ranks fifth in program history and has registered at least five assists in 20 of UVA’s 24 games.
Preseason Recognition
Prior to the season, both Kymora Johnson and Sa’Myah Smith received significant preseason recognition. Johnson was named to the Wooden Award Watchlist, the Naismith Player of the Year Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Nancy Lieberman Preseason Watch List, and earned a first-team All-ACC selection. She was also ranked No. 15 on ESPN’s preseason top-25 players in women’s college basketball. Smith was recognized on the Katrina McClain Award Preseason Watch List, honoring the nation’s best power forward.
Looking Ahead: Matchup with Stanford
Following the game against California, the Cavaliers will travel to Stanford on Sunday, February 15, for a 2 p.m. ET matchup on the CW. Fans can also tune in live on WINA (98.9FM/1070AM).
