Virginia Plays Inspired Basketball in Statement Victory Over No. 5 Baylor

All through everything of the Tony Bennett period, there have been numerous occasions by which the Cavaliers have held their opponents to prolonged scoring droughts. There have additionally been numerous stretches by which UVA received scorching from past the arc. On the events when each of these issues occur on the identical time? Effectively, Virginia followers wish to name {that a} Cavalanche. 

A Cavalanche is strictly what occurred at first of the second half as UVA used an amazing 24-3 run to take management of the sport and construct a lead as massive as 22 factors. The Cavaliers then held off a late rally from the Bears with some clutch free throw taking pictures as No. 16 Virginia picked up a press release 86-79 victory over No. 5 Baylor on Friday night time in Las Vegas.

As vital because the victory was for Virginia’s prospects for the season – a marquee win over a prime 5 opponent on a impartial court docket will do wonders for UVA’s NCAA Event resume later within the season – this recreation’s worth for the basketball group pales compared to its significance for the College of Virginia group, which continues to mourn the tragic deaths of Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D’Sean Perry, who have been killed in a taking pictures at UVA on Sunday night time. For a lot of within the UVA group, the ache and grief attributable to this mindless lack of life is not going wherever anytime quickly. However for a few hours on Friday night time, UVA followers undoubtedly discovered some solace and luxury in watching the Wahoos play what can solely be described as impressed basketball in Las Vegas. 

The primary half was a bodily grinding battle, performed at a gradual tempo which tremendously favored UVA. Baylor countered that gradual tempo with proficient perimeter taking pictures, pulling down seven three-pointers within the opening 20 minutes. LJ Cryer led all scorers with 13 factors, whereas UVA had a committee of scorers – eight factors every from Armaan Franklin and Kadin Shedrick and 7 factors from Ben Vander Plas. At halftime, Baylor held a slim 33-30 margin as this recreation appeared destined to be shut from wire-to-wire. 

Then got here the game-changing run for Virginia early within the second half. A jumper from Baylor’s star freshman Keyonte George gave Baylor a 35-33 lead on the 18:17 mark. Almost eight minutes later, the Cavaliers discovered themselves up 60-38. Baylor was held scoreless for nearly six minutes and had only one area purpose over an eight-minute interval because the product of some smothering, basic Tony Bennett Virginia protection. 

On the offensive finish, the Cavaliers exploded from three-point vary. After making an attempt solely two three-pointers within the first half, seemingly your entire Virginia offense received scorching on the identical time, hitting eight three-pointers within the second half, and ending 9/14 (64.3%) from three for the sport. Armaan Franklin knocked down three of his six three-point makes an attempt and completed with 26 factors to guide all scorers. 

It could have been silly to assume this gifted, well-coached Baylor Bears group would merely roll over for the Cavaliers after that. And certain sufficient, Baylor’s gifted scorers hit powerful shot after powerful shot to work the Bears again into the sport. Keyonte George led the cost for Baylor, scoring 14 of his team-high 20 factors within the second half. The complete-court press was additionally essential to Baylor’s resurgence, as UVA turned the ball over a couple of occasions within the backcourt and have become stagnant on the offensive finish even after breaking the press with the ensuing shortened shot clock. 

Baylor lower the Virginia lead all the way down to as little as six factors, however the Cavaliers have been resilient in responding to the strain. UVA made simply sufficient performs to carry the Bears at arm’s size and most significantly, the group was stable from the free throw line late within the recreation. Virginia went to the charity stripe 35 occasions within the recreation and made 27 of these makes an attempt. UVA went 22/26 on foul pictures within the second half, successfully shutting the door each time Baylor tried to get inside two possessions. 

There have been a number of key particular person performances for the Cavaliers, who performed nice group basketball on each ends of the ground to beat what is going to possible be top-of-the-line groups in faculty basketball this season. Along with Franklin’s 26 factors, UVA had three gamers rating in double figures. Kadin Shedrick was an ideal 6/6 from the ground and completed with 17 factors, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Ben Vander Plas made 4 of his 5 area purpose makes an attempt and scored 14 factors and Reece Beekman had a double-double with ten factors and ten assists. 

The importance of this victory can’t be understated each by way of this UVA males’s basketball season and for your entire College of Virginia group. Wahoos all over the place wanted this win and Tony Bennett’s group received the job achieved. 

“I do know there are a number of crushed spirits and broken-hearted individuals and we’re praying for these individuals. To have that efficiency – it is only a recreation – but when it introduced some momentary pleasure to any of these guys, thank goodness for that,” Tony Bennett stated after the sport. 

On Sunday at 3pm, Virginia (3-0) will look to win the Predominant Occasion title and stay undefeated on the season in opposition to both No. 8 UCLA or No. 19 Illinois. 

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