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Dec. 23, 2000
Virginia (8-0) vs. Bucknell (5-4)
December 28, 2000 @ 7:30 p.m.
University Hall
Charlottesville, Va.
The Series vs. Bucknell
Thursday’s game marks just the third meeting between Virginia and Bucknell. The two teams split the first two meetings with the Bison winning the first game 99-81 in the 1960-61 season, while UVa earned a 64-45 win in the 1980-81 season. Both games were played in Charlottesville with the second game taking place in University Hall.
Virginia vs. the Patriot League
Thursday’s game is Virginia’s first against a current Patriot League team. The Patriot League was formed in the 1990-91 season. Against the current eight members of the Patriot League, UVa is 20-35 all-time. All of these games were played prior to the formation of the Patriot League. Virginia is 3-0 vs. Army, 1-1 vs. Bucknell, 0-2 vs. Fordham, 2-1 vs. Lafayette, 1-0 vs. Lehigh and 13-31 vs. Navy. Virginia has never played Colgate and Holy Cross.
The last time Virginia played a member of the Patriot League was back in the 1983-84 season when the Cavaliers defeated Lafayette 71-59 in the season-opener at University Hall
Best Start
Virginia’s 8-0 start in the 2000-2001 season is its best since the 1992-93 campaign. The 1992-93 team started the season with an 11-0 record.
Winning Streaks
In the 96-year history of the men’s basketball program, the Cavaliers have started out a season with an 8-0 record 14 times. A win against Bucknell would mark the eighth time Virginia has started a season with nine consecutive victories.
Head Coach Pete Gillen
Pete Gillen is in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach and sports a 315-156 record for a .669 winning percentage. Gillen is in his third season at Virginia and has posted a 41-28 record. Gillen won the 300th game of his career when Virginia defeated then 21st-ranked North Carolina 87-85 on January 18, 2000 at University Hall.
Gillen has led his teams to postseason play 12 times in 15 seasons (eight NCAA, four NIT). He has been selected as the conference Coach of the Year five times – all while coaching Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate Conference).The 1999-2000 Season
Virginia finished the 1999-2000 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavs advanced to postseason play for the first time since receiving a bid to the 1997 NCAA Tournament, but fell to Georgetown in the first round of the 2000 National Invitation Tournament 115-111 in triple overtime.
Non-Conference Teams at University Hall
Virginia is 184-28 (.868) all-time in U-Hall against non-conference opponents since the building opened for the 1965-66 season. The Cavaliers have won 66 of their last 75 home games against non-conference opponents dating back to the 1989-90 season.
Moving Up in the AP and USA Today/ESPN Polls
The Cavaliers continue to climb in The Associated Press and USAToday/ESPN Top 25 polls. In the polls released December 18, Virginia is ranked 14th in both the AP and USAToday/ESPN polls. It is the second consecutive week the Cavaliers have been ranked 14th. The AP ranking of 14th is UVa’s highest since being ranked 13th in the final poll on March 13, 1995. The Cavaliers’ ranking of 14th in the USAToday/ESPN poll is their highest since earning the 14th spot in the preseason poll prior to the 1995-96 season. Virginia finished the 1994-95 season ranked eighth (April 4, 1995).
For the first time since the 1995-96 season, the Virginia men’s basketball team opened a season ranked in both The Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Top 25 polls. Virginia was ranked 24th in the AP’s preseason poll and 25th in the preseason USAToday/ESPN poll.
Before the 1995-1996 season Virginia was ranked 19th in the AP and 14th in the USA Today/ESPN polls. The last time the Cavs appeared in any poll prior to this season came during the 1996-97 season when they were ranked 25th in the AP poll (12/3/96).
A Top Five Win
The Cavaliers’ 107-89 win over fourth-ranked Tennessee (Dec. 19) at the Jimmy V Classic marked the first time since the 1995 season that Virginia has defeated a top-five ranked team. UVa’s last win against a top five team was a 67-58 win over Kansas in the Sweet 16 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament on March 24 in Kansas City, Mo.
The Jayhawks were ranked fourth in the AP poll and fifth in the USAToday/ESPN poll at the time.
A Rare Feat
Senior guard Donald Hand has recorded 1,222 points, 329 rebounds, 413 assists and 150 steals in his career. Hand is just the third UVa player with at least 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, 400 assists and 150 steals in a career. The other two UVa players to accomplish the feat are Othell Wilson (1981-84) – 1,469 points, 375 rebounds, 493 assists and 222 steals, and Harold Deane (1994-97) – 1,763 points, 440 rebounds, 468 assists and 179 steals.
Scoring Lots of Points
The Cavaliers are off to an excellent start offensively in the 2000-2001 season. Through the first eight games of the season, UVa is averaging 93.2 points per game which leads all Atlantic Coast Conference schools and is second in the nation (as of the NCAA release of December 18). The school record for the highest scoring average is 89.8 points per game in the 1954-55 season.
UVa is also shooting 49.1 percent (260-530) from the floor this season. The last time Virginia shot 50 percent from the field in a season was in the 1985-86 season when the Cavaliers connected on 50.1 percent (838-1672) from the floor.
Big Leads
One of the reasons for Virginia’s early season success is its ability to build big leads. In six of the first eight games this season, Virginia has built leads of 20 or more points. In the only two games the Cavaliers failed to lead by 20 points (VMI – Dec. 4 and UMBC – Dec. 23), they have led by at least 18 points.
Big Wins
The Cavaliers have won all eight of their games this season by 16 points or more. Six of the eight wins have been by 19 or more points. Virginia is also outscoring its opponents by 24.0 points per game (93.2 to 69.2).
Only 48 Points
UVa limited Virginia Tech to 48 points in its 64-48 victory (Nov. 24), marking the fewest points the Cavaliers have allowed in a game under head coach Pete Gillen. The previous record for fewest points allowed in a game under Gillen was 50 by Dartmouth last season (Jan. 2, 2000) and Long Island University earlier this season (Nov. 17).
Prior to holding Virginia Tech to 48 points, UVa’s opponents were averaging 75.8 points per game during Gillen’s tenure. Virginia held the Hokies nearly 28 points below that average.
This season, UVa has limited its first eight opponents to an average of 69.2 points per game. Last year, the Cavaliers gave up 75.4 points per game.
117
Virginia’s offense was rolling in its victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). The Cavaliers lit up the scoreboard in the 117-78 victory with the 117 points tying for the fourth highest single game output in school history. UVa also scored 117 points against Baldwin-Wallace (117-83) in the 1972 season. The school record for points in a game is 128 vs. George Mason (128-98) in 1995. The second highest output is 124 points against Johns Hopkins (124-60) in the 1983 season, while the third highest point total is 118 vs. BYU-Hawaii (118-84) in the 1982 season.
The Cavaliers’ 117 points are the most the team has scored since a 115-111 triple overtime loss to Georgetown in last season’s NIT.
70 Virginia scored 70 points in the second half of its 117-78 victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20), which is believed to be a school record for points in a half. The previous known high for points in a half was 69 in the second half of UVa’s 128-98 victory over George Mason on January 28, 1995. Virginia scored 67 points in the second half of a 124-60 win against Johns Hopkins on November 26, 1982.
NCAA Statistics
Virginia appears in several categories in the NCAA Division I statistics for games played through December 18. The NCAA stats do not include Virginia’s games against Tennessee (Dec. 19) and UMBC (Dec. 23). UVa’s current stats are also listed.
Individually, guard Donald Hand is ninth in assists with 7.2 per game. He currently is averaging 7.3 per game. Guard Keith Friel is 13th in three-point field goal percentage at 56.7 percent (17-30). Friel is presently shooting 58.3 percent from beyond the arc (21-36).
As a team, the Cavaliers are tied for first in the country in winning percentage at 1.000 (6-0) – and currently stand at 8-0. UVa is second in scoring with an average of 92.3 points per game. The Cavaliers are currently averaging 93.2 points per game. Virginia is fifth in the nation in scoring margin at plus 26.3 points per game (92.3 ppg to 66.0 ppg). That margin is presently 24.0 points per game (93.2 to 69.2). With a shooting percentage of 51.0 percent (199-390), the Cavaliers are 14th among all Division I teams. Currently, UVa is shooting 49.1 percent from the floor (260-530). Virginia is also 26th in the nation in three-point field goal shooting at 41.1 percent (44-107). That percentage is presently 39.9 percent (55-138).
Joining the Millennium Club
Virginia junior forward Chris Williams became UVa’s 34th player to score 1,000 career points when he drilled a three-point basket with 6:10 remaining in the first half against Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). Williams finished the game with 15 points and currently has 1,093 in his career. He is now 31st on UVa’s all-time scoring list. Williams joins senior guard Donald Hand as current players reaching the 1,000-point plateau. Hand scored his 1,000th point on Feb. 5, 2000 versus Duke and currently has 1,222 points. Hand is 23rd on Virginia’s all-time scoring list.
Hand and Williams are the first pair of UVa teammates to both have recorded 1,000 career points since Curtis Staples (1,757 points) and Norman Nolan (1,321) played together during the 1997-98 season.
Six Different Leading Scorers
Virginia has had six different players lead the team in scoring in games this season (in two of UVa’s games, two players tied for team high honors in scoring). Senior forward Stephane Dondon led the team with 17 points in the season-opener against Long Island (Nov. 17). Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., posted a career-high 28 points against Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20), 23 points against VMI (Dec. 4), and 23 points versus UMBC (Dec. 23) to lead the team in all three of those games. Senior guard Keith Friel tallied 15 points against Virginia Tech (Nov. 24) to lead the Cavaliers, and then scored 16 points against Ohio (Dec. 6) to tie sophomore forward/center Travis Watson for team scoring honors. Senior guard Donald Hand and junior forward Chris Williams round out UVa’s leading scorers in a game as they both poured in 24 points against Purdue (Nov. 29). Hand also led UVa with 21 points against Tennessee (Dec. 19).
No Turnovers
In UVa’s 98-79 win over Purdue (Nov. 29), senior guard Donald Hand handed out eight assists and did not commit a turnover. It marked the third time in his career that he did not commit a turnover in a game. The other no turnover games came last season against Clemson (Jan. 15) – 5 assists, 0 turnovers, and Florida State (Jan. 26) – 3 assists, 0 turnovers.
Shooting the Long Ball
Virginia’s current roster features three of the top 10 career three-point field goal leaders in school history and a fourth player who is on the verge of joining the trio during the 2000-2001 season. Senior guard Donald Hand currently ranks sixth with 130 three-pointers and needs just three threes to move into the top five. Juniors Chris Williams and Adam Hall are also on the top 10 list with 75 and 67 career three-pointers, respectively. Williams is currently eighth, while Hall is tenth all-time.
Guard Keith Friel is quickly approaching UVa’s top 10 as he continues his sharp-shooting of the 1999-2000 season. Friel hit 45-109 (.413) three-pointers last season and is about to add his name to the all-time list in just his second season with Virginia. Friel’s 41.3 percent accuracy from behind the line last season ranks as the fifth best performance by a Cavalier in that category.
Friel has opened the 2000-2001 season by making 21 of 36 (58.3 percent) three-point field goal attempts. Friel now has 66 career three-pointers while in a Virginia uniform and needs one more to tie Adam Hall for 10th place with 67 threes. Friel also made 60 three-pointers in two seasons at Notre Dame and has a total of 126 career threes.
Mason Sets Career Highs
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr. set career highs for points and assists in a game in UVa’s 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). Mason tallied 28 points on 10 of 14 shooting from the field, including a two-for-three effort from three-point range, and he also made six of seven free throws. His former career best was 22 points against Duke (Jan. 5, 2000). With seven assists against the Chanticleers, Mason surpassed his previous career best of four assists on three different occasions.
Mason currently leads the Cavaliers in scoring with an average of 16.9 points per game and is shooting 90.9 percent (50-55) from the free throw line.
Truly a Charity Stripe
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., has made the most of his free throw attempts this season. Mason has made his last 33 free throw attempts and 50-55 (90.9 percent) attempts this season. The Virginia record for consecutive free throws made is 48 by Jeff Lamp in the 1979-80 season.
Against UMBC (Dec. 23), Mason made all 14 of his free throw attempts and his perfect effort tied the second best free throw performance by a UVa player in a game. Bryant Stith made all 14 of his free throws against Georgia Tech on January 21, 1990 . Buzzy Wilkinson holds the school record with a perfect 17 for 17 effort against Washington & Lee on January 14, 1955.
Mason’s current streak began against Purdue (Nov. 29) when he made his last four free throws (he was five for six in the game). Mason was two for two against VMI (Dec. 4), four for four versus Ohio (Dec. 6), and nine for nine against Tennessee (Dec. 19), before going 14-14 against UMBC (Dec. 23).
Hand Also Hot From Free Throw Line
In addition to Roger Mason, Jr., senior guard Donald Hand has an impressive streak from the free throw line. Hand has made his last 20 free throws with the streak dating back to the Purdue game (Nov. 29). Hand made his final six attempts against the Boilermakers (he was nine of 11 in the game). After not attempting a free throw against VMI (Dec. 4), Hand was four for four against Ohio (Dec. 6), eight for eight versus Tennessee (Dec. 19), and two for two against UMBC (Dec. 23).
Taking Care of the Basketball
In eight games this season, the Cavaliers have committed 103 turnovers for an average of 12.9 per game. UVa has committed more than 13 turnovers in a game only three times this season – 17 vs. Tennessee (Dec. 19), 15 vs. VMI (Dec. 4) and 17 vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 24). On the other hand, Virginia’s opponents have committed 165 turnovers for an average of 20.6 per game. The fewest turnovers a UVa opponent has committed in a game this season is 17 by UMBC (Dec. 23).
Hand Equals Career High in Assists
Senior guard Donald Hand dished out 11 assists in the Cavaliers’ 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20) to tie his career high. He also recorded 11 assists last season against Hampton (Dec. 10, 1999).
Great Ratio
On the season, senior guard Donald Hand has recorded 58 assists (7.3 assists per game) while committing only 21 turnovers for an impressive 2.8 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Hand has committed only 16 turnovers in his last six games.
Hand leads all ACC players with 7.3 assists per game and is ninth in the nation (Dec. 18 NCAA stats). He is third in the ACC in assist to turnover ratio (2.8 to 1). Hand is fourth on the team in scoring with an average of 12.5 points per game. He also leads the team with 18 steals.
Hand Among Assists and Steals Leaders
In addition to holding the sixth spot on UVa’s career three-point field goal list (130 three-pointers), senior guard Donald Hand ranks in Virginia’s top 10 in both career assists and steals. Hand is sixth on the Cavaliers’ all-time assists list with 413. He needs 14 assists to move past John Johnson’s (1985-88) fifth place total of 426. Hand also stands seventh in career steals with 150 and needs four more to tie Bobby Stokes (1976-79) for sixth place. In addition, Hand is 23rd on UVa’s career scoring list with 1,222 points. With 23 more points, Hand will move all the way up to 20th place all-time.
Friel on Fire
Guard Keith Friel is off to a great shooting start this season. Friel has made 21 of 36 three-point attempts for an impressive .583 shooting percentage. He made a UVa career-high five three-pointers on eight attempts against Virginia Tech (Nov. 24) and scored 15 points. Friel made four of five three-point attempts in scoring a UVa career-high 16 points against Ohio (Dec. 6). He made four of six threes in equaling his career high with 16 points against Tennessee (Dec. 19). His overall career best effort from beyond the arc is eight threes against Syracuse (Jan. 21, 1998) while playing for Notre Dame.
The Farther the Better
Guard Keith Friel is shooting better from three-point range than he is from inside the arc. Friel has connected on 21 of 36 three-point attempts for 58.3 percent, while his two-point field goal percentage is just 36.4 percent (4-11).
Missing Friel
Graduate student guard Keith Friel did not play in UVa’s game against UMBC (Dec. 23) and consequently, the Cavaliers struggled from beyond the three-point arc. UVa made just one of 13 three-point attempts, marking the fewest three-pointers the Cavaliers have made in a game in the Pete Gillen era.
The Cavaliers entered the game against UMBC averaging 7.7 three-point field goals per game and 43.2 perdent (54-125) from beyond the arc, but were just one of 13 against the Retrievers.
Watson Ties Career High in Rebounds
Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson tied his career high by pulling down 16 rebounds against UMBC (Dec. 23). His 16 rebounds equalled his career high set against Duke on January 5, 2000.
Watson also scored 19 points against the Retrievers (just one point shy of his career high) for his third double-double of the season and 11th of his career.
Watson is tied for second on the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game and leads the team with 9.3 rebounds per game.
Six in Double Figures
Virginia had six players reach double figures in scoring in its 107-89 win over Tennessee (Dec. 19). Donald Hand led the way with 21, while Roger Mason, Jr., added 18. Keith Friel and Stephane Dondon tallied 16 points apiece, while Chris Williams and Travis Watson both contributed 11 points.
It marked the first time UVa had six players score in double figures this season and the third straight game that at least five players reached double figures. The last time Virginia had six players score in double figures was December 10, 1999 when Chris Williams (18), Adam Hall (15), Donald Hand (15), Willie Dersch (11), Josh Hare (10) and Travis Watson (10) reached double digits in a 102-56 win at Hampton.
12 Different Scorers Times Two
In the first two games of the 2000-2001 season, Virginia had 12 players score. That streak stopped in UVa’s win over Virginia Tech (Nov. 24) as seven players were able to put points on the board. ln their season-opening 96-50 victory over Long Island University (Nov. 17), the Cavaliers had 12 different players score with eight players tallying seven or more points. In UVa’s 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20), nine players scored six or more points.
Last season, Virginia had 12 players score in a game four times. UVa had 12 players score in wins over VMI (11/21/99), Loyola (12/8/99), Hampton (12/10/99), and Dartmouth (1/2/00).
Seven Players Drain Threes
In addition to the 12 players scoring in the season-opening win against Long Island (Nov. 17), seven of those players connected on three-point field goals. Last season, UVa also had seven different players make threes in a win over Loyola (12/8/99).
In eight games this season, nine different players have connected from beyond the three-point arc. Last season, 11 different UVa players made three-point baskets.
Young Named ACC Rookie of the Week
Freshman forward/guard Maurice Young was selected as the ACC Co-Rookie of the Week for his play in UVa’s 96-50 win over Long Island University (Nov. 17). He shared the award with Duke’s Chris Duhon. In his collegiate debut, Young scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds. Young was four of six from the field and also added an assist in 11 minutes of action.
Virginia Splits a Pair of Exhibition Games
The Cavaliers were 1-1 in their two exhibition games during the preseason. Virginia lost to the London Leopards 89-88 on November 4, but bounced back with a 95-80 win over the Nantucket Nectars Naturals on November 12.
Second Half Spurt Propels Virginia Past UMBC 85-69
The Cavaliers shook off a sluggish first half and outscored the visiting UMBC Retrievers 43-29 in the second half to post an 85-69 victory (Dec. 23) at University Hall.
Sophomore guard Roger Mason paced four Cavaliers in double figure scoring with 23 points, which included a perfect 14 of 14 effort from the free throw line. Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson notched his third double-double of the season and 11th of his career with 19 points and a career-high tying 16 rebounds. Junior guard/forward Adam Hall nearly recorded a double-double as well with a season-high 18 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Chris Williams rounded out UVa’s double digit scorers with 13 points.
The Cavaliers led 42-40 at intermission, but scored the first six points of the second half to open up a 48-40 lead with 18:24 to go. Watson began the scoring with a slam dunk off an offensive rebound. Williams then converted a layup and Mason drained a pair of free throws for the eight-point lead.
Leading 65-55 with 9:48 to play, Virginia went on a 12-4 run to open up its biggest lead of the game, 77-59, with 5:55 left.
The Cavaliers enjoyed an excellent night at the free throw line as they connected on 24 of 29 attempts (82.8 percent) with Mason leading the way with his 14-14 effort. UVa also held a commanding 48-35 advantage in rebounds, including a 23-11 edge on the offensive glass. Guard Terence Ward led UMBC with 19 points, while Peter Mulligan added 18 points.
Cavaliers Topple Fourth-Ranked Tennessee 107-89
Six UVa players scored in doubles as Virginia upset fourth-ranked Tennessee 107-89 (Dec. 19) in the Jimmy V Classic at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. The win was Virginia’s first over a top-five ranked team since the 1995 season.
Senior guard Donald Hand led the Cavaliers with game highs of 21 points and nine assists. Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., added 18 points and a career-high seven rebounds, while senior forward Stephane Dondon registered his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Graduate student guard Keith Friel converted four of six three-point field goal attempts in equaling his UVa career-high with 16 points. Junior forward Chris Williams and sophomore forward/center Travis Watson both scored 11 points. Junior guard/forward Adam Hall contributed eight points, six rebounds and a career-high five steals.
The Cavaliers, who never trailed in the game, shot 51.4 percent (19-37) in racing out to a 57-40 halftime lead. Dondon led the way in the first half with 13 points.
Virginia built its lead to 22 points, 79-57 with 11:40 remaining, and 81-59 with 11:04 to go. The Vols fought back to cut the UVa margin to 10 on three occasions with the last coming with 2:32 left (99-89). A layup and three free throws by Mason stopped the Tennessee comeback attempt.
The Cavaliers made 10 of 18 (55.6 percent) three-point field goal attempts and also converted 35 of 44 (79.5 percent) free throws in the game. Isiah Victor led Tennessee with 20 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots.
UVa Improves to 6-0 With 90-71 Win Over Ohio
The Cavaliers had five players score in double figures for the second consecutive game in their 90-71 victory over Ohio University (Dec. 6) at University Hall. Virginia broke open a close game with a 16-2 run early in the second half.
Graduate student guard Keith Friel and sophomore forward/center Travis Watson led Virginia’s balanced scoring attack with 16 points apiece. Friel made his mark from long range as he made four of five three-point attempts en route to setting his UVa career high for points. In addition to his 16 points, Watson pulled down a game-high eight rebounds and added two blocked shots, two steals and two assists. Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr. tallied 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior guard Donald Hand and junior forward Chris Williams rounded out Virginia’s double figure scorers with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Hand also contributed six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Williams added seven rebounds and three assists.
UVa held a single digit lead throughout much of the first half and took a 40-33 advantage into the locker room. The Bobcats closed to within five, 43-38, with 17:34 to play, but the Cavaliers responded with a 16-2 run to take a 59-40 lead with 13:15 to play. Watson began the spurt with a pair of slam dunks, while Friel contributed a pair of three-pointers. The Cavaliers extended their lead to as many as 25 points on two occasions before earning the 90-71 victory.
Anthony Jones and Steve Esterkamp paced Ohio with 18 and 17 points, respectively.Cavaliers Post 89-70 Win Over Determined VMI Squad
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr. scored a game-high 23 points to lead Virginia to an 89-70 win over VMI (Dec. 4) at Cameron Hall in Lexington, Va. Mason made 10 of 16 attempts from the floor, including one three-pointer, and drained a pair of free throws for his 23 points. He also added four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Junior forward/guard Adam Hall tallied 17 points, while junior forward Chris Williams added 16 points. Hall was seven of eight from the floor, while Williams made seven of 10 attempts from the field. Senior guard Donald Hand contributed 12 points, nine assists, four rebounds and four steals. Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson registered his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. He also blocked three shots. Eric Mann paced VMI with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cavaliers built their lead to as many as 19 points, 41-22, with 2:32 remaining in the first half. The determined Keydets cut the deficit to 12, 46-34, at halftime. VMI scored the first five points of the second half to trim UVa’s advantage to seven, 46-39. The Cavaliers responded with an 8-0 run to push their lead back up to 15, 54-39, with 17:03 to play. VMI again closed to within seven, 72-65, with 9:23 to go, but three-pointers by Hand and Williams, a Hall free throw and layup, and a Mason layup, sandwiched around a Keydet free throw, gave UVa an 83-66 lead with 5:21 to play.
As a team, Virginia shot 52.9 percent (37-70) from the floor, including 56.7 percent (17-30) in the second half.
Virginia Tops Purdue in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
The Cavaliers improved to 4-0 on the season with a 98-79 victory over Purdue (Nov. 29) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at University Hall. Senior guard Donald Hand led UVa to the victory with season-highs of 24 points and nine rebounds. Hand also dished out eight assists and had four steals, and did not commit a turnover in 33 minutes of action.
Junior forward Chris Williams also recorded a season-high 24 points and added nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Junior forward/guard Adam Hall scored a then season-high 14 points on seven of 10 shooting from the field and contributed six rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Graduate student guard Keith Friel added 11 points, including three three-point field goals.
The Boilermakers took a quick lead, 5-2, two minutes into the game. A layup by Hand at the 16:32 mark gave Virginia the lead for good, 6-5. The layup by Hand was part of a 13-0 run that gave UVa a 15-5 edge with 14:24 to play in the first half. Purdue closed within 17-10 at the 13:16 mark, but the Cavaliers then embarked on a 15-3 run to take a 32-13 advantage with 7:28 left in the opening half.
The Cavaliers led 45-27 at halftime and never saw their lead shrink to less than 13 points the rest of the game. Joe Marshall led Purdue with 19 points.
Cavaliers Defeat In-State Rival Virginia Tech
Virginia improved to 3-0 on the season with a 64-48 victory over Virginia Tech (Nov. 24) at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. Guard Keith Friel led the Cavaliers with 15 points on five of eight shooting from three-point range (five of nine overall). Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson registered his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr. added 10 points. Senior guard Donald Hand dished out nine assists to go along with seven points.
The Cavaliers used an 18-4 run to turn a 6-5 deficit into a 23-10 lead with just over nine minutes left in the first half. The Hokies closed to within 23-16 a few moments later, but UVa used a 9-0 run to take a 32-16 advantage. The Cavaliers led 38-23 at halftime. Virginia Tech pulled to within 12, 42-30, with 15:40 left in the game, but Virginia pushed its lead to 20, 50-30, over the next five minutes.
In the game, UVa made eight of 19 three-point field goal attempts (42.1 percent) and 16 of 20 free throws (80 percent) to help offset 37 percent shooting (20-54) from the field. Virginia Tech shot 40 percent (20-50) from the field, but only made six of 18 (33.3 percent) free throws. Carlos Dixon led the Hokies with 13 points.
UVa Rolls to Victory Over Coastal Carolina
Virginia scored 70 points in the second half and cruised to a 117-78 victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20) at University Hall. The Cavaliers’ 117 points ties for the fourth highest single game point output in school history, while the 70 points scored in the second half is believed to be a school record for points in a half.
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr. led the Cavaliers with a team and career-high 28 points and also dished out a career-best seven assists. Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson added 17 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward Chris Williams added 15 points, including the 1,000th point of his career. Senior guard Donald Hand registered UVa’s first double-double of the season with 12 points and a career-high tying 11 assists. For the second consecutive game, the Cavaliers had 12 different players score points.
Virginia shot 56.3 percent (40-71) in the game, including a sizzling 65.7 percent (23-35) in the second half. The Chanticleers shot a respectable 46.7 percent (28-60) in the game, but committed 24 turnovers to UVa’s nine. Virginia also held a 41-29 edge in rebounds.
The Cavaliers, who never trailed in the game, jumped out to a 19-6 lead, but Coastal Carolina was able to pull within five points, 31-26, with 7:08 left in the first half. UVa pushed the lead back up to 13, 47-34, at intermission. Virginia broke the game open with a 23-2 run in the first 5:16 of the second half that gave the Cavaliers a 70-36 lead.
Cavaliers Impressive in Season-Opening Win
Virginia opened the 2000-2001 season with a 96-50 victory over Long Island University (Nov. 17) at University Hall. Senior forward Stephane Dondon led a balanced scoring effort with a career-high 17 points, while sophomore forward/center Travis Watson added 16 points. Dondon also contributed six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot in the win. A total of 12 Cavaliers scored in the game with eight players scoring seven or more points. Senior guards Donald Hand and Keith Friel, junior forward Chris Williams, and sophomore guard Roge