Gardner, Beekman lift No. 8 Virginia past No. 22 N.C. State

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — – Virginia coach Tony Bennett had a easy message for his staff after a poor defensive efficiency in a loss at Virginia Tech.

“Discuss is reasonable. Do it. Present us, to our gamers, to us as a workers, present up, work in observe, step to between the traces and do not lose your self in something however what your job is,” Bennett stated he informed his gamers and assistants within the two days of observe for the reason that 74-68 loss.

The staff clearly obtained the message.

Jayden Gardner scored 18 factors, Reece Beekman added 15 and No. 8 Virginia cooled off red-hot No. 22 North Carolina State 63-50 on Tuesday evening.

“We had a fantastic two days earlier than State, , preparation and simply diving in,” Gardner stated. “It is simply that is the time of the season we have to lock in and , we’re enjoying for one thing. … We’re making an attempt to win a championship.”

The Cavaliers (18-4, 10-3 Atlantic Coast Convention) handed the Wolfpack (19-6, 9-5) their second loss in 10 video games and moved right into a share of first place within the convention with Clemson and Pittsburgh.

The Wolfpack arrived main the ACC with a median of 79.6 factors and have been 19-2 when scoring a minimum of 70, however turned the thirty eighth consecutive league opponent held beneath 70 factors at John Paul Jones Area.

“Clearly, as I watched the Virginia Tech recreation and knew that these guys dropped the sport and, , any time you are going to play an excellent defensive staff on their dwelling flooring, you are going to get that vitality,” North Carolina State coach Kevin Keatts stated.

Terquavion Smith led N.C. State with 19 factors and Casey Morsell, who spent his first two seasons at Virginia and was jeered almost each time he touched the ball in his first recreation again, had 18 factors earlier than fouling out within the remaining minute.

Jarkel Joiner, the Wolfpack’s No. 2 scorer at 16.2 factors per recreation, missed 12 of his 14 photographs and scored 5 factors. D.J. Burns Jr. (eight factors) was the one different Wolfpack participant to attain.

Reserve ahead Kadin Shedrick, who didn’t play in Virginia’s loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday, had 10 factors and 6 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Virginia scored the primary six factors of the second half to open its largest lead at 40-20, however the Wolfpack started whittling away, fueled by a 12-6 burst through which Smith and Morsell every hit a pair of 3-pointers.

“Prior to now, we have been capable of management the tempo and to get these guys to play a bit of bit sooner and even flip them over,” stated Keatts, whose staff had gained three of the final 4 conferences. “However we could not.”

N.C. State twice closed inside 9 factors however obtained no nearer. Morsell’s 3 made it 55-46 with 3:46 to play, however Beekman made a free throw after which took a no-look move from Kihei Clark for a simple backdoor layup.

Virginia closed the primary half on an 8-2 run to steer 34-20 on the break. The Wolfpack missed 10 straight photographs earlier than Burns scored simply earlier than the half.

BIG PICTURE

N.C. State: The Wolfpack obtained scoring from simply three gamers – Smith with 9 factors, Morsell with seven and Burns with 4 – within the opening half. They shot 25.8% with Smith going 4 for 13 and Joiner 0 for six. … Burns picked up his third private foul lower than a minute into the second half after getting the ball stolen by Beekman. He stayed within the recreation and drew his fourth foul on a drive by Clark with 16:03 left.

Virginia: Beekman began the sport rating first within the ACC in help/turnover ratio (3.0) and third in assists (5.1). He had 4 assists and one turnover. Clark began first in assists (6.0) and second in help/turnover ratio (2.8). He had six assists and three turnovers.

UP NEXT

N.C. State: At Boston School on Saturday.

Virginia: Hosts Duke on Saturday.

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