Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory each dropped 20 points to guide No. 9 Virginia to a decisive 97-72 victory over Northeastern on Friday night in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers overcame a sluggish opening stretch where they shot just 2-for-10 from the field and missed all seven of their three-point attempts in the first eight minutes. Despite the early struggles, Virginia took its first lead with 8:23 remaining in the first half and outscored the Huskies 22-11 in the final nine minutes to enter the break up 38-31.
Cavaliers shake off 0-for-7 start to secure easy win ahead of Arkansas clash
Northeastern’s Rashad King led the Huskies with 26 points, while guard Louis Bond contributed 23, but the visitors were plagued by 19 turnovers that ultimately sealed their fate. Thijis De Ridder provided a balanced performance for Virginia with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Johann Grunloh added 13 points while playing through an injured right ankle. The combined 18 first-half turnovers, with Northeastern accounting for 11, highlighted the defensive intensity that allowed the Cavaliers to control the pace of the game.
The dominant second-half performance allowed Virginia to rest its starters for the final six minutes, a strategic move that preserves energy for Sunday’s matchup against No. 12 Arkansas. With the bulk of the team’s scoring coming from its four key players, managing minutes is crucial as the Cavaliers look to maintain their 2-0 start. The win demonstrates Virginia’s resilience and ability to adjust mid-game, setting a strong tone for the upcoming challenge against a top-15 opponent.
Source: Yahoo Sports
