Virginia Edges Florida State in Thrilling Matchup
In a thrilling college basketball matchup on Tuesday night, No. 15 Virginia edged Florida State 61-58, thanks to a pivotal performance by Jacari White. Coming off the bench, White notched 19 points, including a decisive dunk with just 1:12 left in the game. This victory marks the Cavaliers’ fifth consecutive win, improving their record to 21-3 and 10-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Key Performances
White, a native of Orlando, showcased his sharpshooting skills, hitting 5 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc—a new season-high for him in ACC play. His standout performance came during his 21 minutes on the court.
On the opposing side, Florida State, which recently broke a three-game losing streak, saw Lajae Jones deliver an impressive performance with 21 points and a season-best 13 rebounds. Robert McCray V also contributed significantly with 20 points. Florida State had a fleeting lead of 54-45 with 8:22 remaining but failed to score in the last 4:54 of the game. This offensive drought proved costly as the Seminoles struggled with shooting, finishing the game with only 29% accuracy from the field and just 18% from the three-point line.
Game Highlights
As the game wore on, Virginia pulled ahead with a key jumper from Thijs De Ridder, pushing them to a 61-58 lead with 25 seconds on the clock. Although Jones and McCray attempted three-pointers to tie the game, both shots missed their mark. De Ridder also chipped in with nine points and nine rebounds, supporting the Cavaliers’ dominant rebounding effort, which saw Virginia outpace Florida State 47-37.
Bench Contributions
In terms of bench contributions, Virginia’s reserves triumphed over their counterparts, scoring 32 points compared to Florida State’s 10. Overall, Virginia managed a shooting percentage of 38% and converted 30% of their three-point attempts.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Cavaliers continue to build momentum as they prepare to host Ohio State this upcoming Saturday, while the Seminoles are set to visit Virginia Tech on the same day.
