Virginia Cavaliers Secure Victory Against Wake Forest
In a tightly contested matchup on Tuesday night, the 13th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers emerged victorious against Wake Forest, clinching a 75-70 win. This triumph secured the Cavaliers a coveted No. 2 seed along with a double-bye in the upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament.
Key Performers
Thijs De Ridder was instrumental for Virginia, contributing 16 points to the scoreboard, while Jacari White and Malik Thomas added 14 and 11 points, respectively. Johann Grunloh also made his mark with a solid performance, recording 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. With this victory, Virginia has now defeated Wake Forest in 14 of their last 16 encounters.
Game Highlights
Coming off a disappointing defeat to the top-ranked Duke, where they struggled mightily with their three-point shooting—hitting just 7 of 35 attempts—the Cavaliers faced a similar challenge in this game. They started poorly from beyond the arc, missing their first eight three-point attempts and finishing the first half with a dismal 3-for-17 shooting performance from long range. However, the team gained momentum after the break, ultimately converting 10 of 32 attempts from three-point territory, including a crucial shot by Thomas that extended their lead to 71-62 in the closing minutes.
Despite a strong effort from Wake Forest’s Mekhi Mason, who scored 26 points, and Juke Harris, who added 21, the Demon Deacons struggled to overcome the Cavaliers’ lead. As the game neared its end, Wake Forest managed to narrow the deficit to just three points at 73-70 with only 6.1 seconds remaining. Virginia’s Dallin Hall, however, sealed the win by converting two free throws shortly thereafter.
First Half Overview
The first half was marked by poor shooting from both teams, as they combined for a mere 18 successful field goals out of 60 attempts. The Cavaliers ended the half ahead 32-24 after going on a late 10-2 run.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Wake Forest will host California on Saturday, while Virginia is set to clash with their rivals, Virginia Tech, also on Saturday.
