Virginia Triumphs Over SMU in ACC Showdown
In a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference matchup, the 16th-ranked University of Virginia managed to fend off Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a narrow 72-68 victory in Dallas on Saturday. Malik Thomas was the standout performer, scoring 23 points and grabbing a personal best of 11 rebounds, while Thijs De Ridder played a crucial role late in the game, contributing 17 points, including seven of his total in the final 2½ minutes of play.
Game Highlights
With this win, Virginia improved their record to 16 wins and 2 losses overall, as well as 5-1 in the ACC, marking their fifth consecutive win. This loss was particularly poignant for SMU, which had not lost a game at Moody Coliseum this season, boasting a 12-game home winning streak before succumbing to the Cavaliers.
Late in the contest, De Ridder executed two clutch free throws with just over a minute remaining, placing Virginia in front at 70-68. Although Virginia’s Dallin Hall missed a 3-pointer on the subsequent possession, De Ridder secured the rebound and was fouled again, converting two more free throws to extend the lead to 72-68. In the final moments, SMU’s Boopie Miller attempted a desperate 3-pointer but failed to connect, allowing De Ridder to collect another rebound and seal the game.
Player Performances
Jarin Pierre Jr. led the Mustangs, scoring 16 points, while B.J. Edwards chipped in with 13 points. Notably, Miller, who has averaged 20.8 points per game this season, managed to score just 12, marking his lowest output of the year.
Virginia displayed impressive outside shooting, particularly from Thomas who matched his season high by sinking six 3-pointers. The Cavaliers took advantage of their increased perimeter focus, attempting a program record of 28.3 three-pointers per game, and making 12 of their 31 attempts on Saturday. However, they struggled at the free throw line, with only 12 attempts, of which they converted 10.
Game Flow
The initial stages of the game saw SMU leading by as much as seven points early on. However, Virginia responded with a 13-2 spurt in just under four minutes, taking control with a 35-28 lead at halftime as SMU faltered, hitting only 1 of 10 shots while committing two turnovers during that stretch.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Virginia is poised to face No. 14 North Carolina next Saturday, while SMU will travel to Wake Forest on Tuesday. This match serves as a reminder of the competitive spirit within the ACC as teams jostle for positioning in the conference.
