Virginia Cavaliers Secure Victory Over Pittsburgh Panthers
In a decisive victory for the No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers, the team defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 67-47 in Charlottesville on Tuesday night. Notably, this game marked the Cavaliers’ lowest scoring output of the season, falling even below their previous low of 70 against Stanford earlier this month.
Key Performers
Star player Sam Lewis contributed significantly, scoring 15 points, while Thijs De Ridder showcased his talent by recording a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. This performance earned De Ridder recognition as the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week and marked his third double-double of the season. Other key contributors for Virginia included Chance Mallory, who netted 11 points, and Malik Thomas with 10 points.
Season Overview
Virginia’s season record now stands at an impressive 19-3, with 8 wins against 2 losses in the ACC. The team has displayed remarkable form—marking three consecutive wins and eight victories in their last nine games, with their only setback during that stretch coming from a contest against No. 14 North Carolina.
Pittsburgh’s Struggles
On the other hand, Pittsburgh, who has struggled recently, fell to 9-14 overall with a 2-8 record in the conference. The Panthers have lost eight of their last ten games, with Cameron Corhen and Nojus Indrusaitis each contributing 11 points to their cause. Early in the game, Pittsburgh took a brief lead with a score of 7-3, but Virginia responded with an impressive 12-0 run, seizing control for the duration of the match.
Turnovers and Future Matchups
Both teams faced challenges with turnovers, as Pittsburgh committed 17 turnovers against Virginia’s 10. However, Virginia capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 23 points from turnovers, compared to just nine from the Panthers.
The Cavaliers now turn their attention to their next matchup, where they will host Syracuse. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is set to welcome SMU to their court on Saturday, seeking to turn around their season.
This game also marks a recent memory for Pittsburgh fans, as their last victory against a ranked team was against Virginia in February of the previous year when they won 74-63 at the same venue.
