Virginia Downs Coppin State 68-52
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia (2-2) cruised to victory 68-52 over Coppin State (1-6) at John Paul Jones Arena Friday night.
Jayden Gardner (14), Kihei Clark (12), Igor Miličić Jr. (11) and Kadin Shedrick (10) all scored in double figures for the Cavaliers.
Gardner and Shedrick also collected double-doubles as Gardner pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, while Shedrick tallied a career-best 10 boards in addition to scoring in double figures.
The Cavaliers never trailed in Friday’s contest and led the Eagles for 39:26.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Four different Cavaliers scored the game’s first eight points as the Virginia defense held Coppin State scoreless in its first seven possessions after forcing four missed field goals and three turnovers. The Hoos grasped their largest lead of the first half, 23-6, at the 8:04 mark. Virginia led 35-20 at halftime after shooting 48 percent (13-27) from the field, while holding the Eagles to just 27 percent shooting (7-27). In the second half, the Cavaliers led by as many as 21. Gardner and Shedrick scored nine and eight points, respectively, in the second half. Gardner also shot eight free throws in half No. 2.
THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Igor Miličić Jr. Coming off the bench, the Croatian freshman scored a season-high 11 points on 3 of 6 shooting, including 2 for 4 from behind the arc, in nearly 14 minutes of action. Miličić Jr. was also 3 for 4 at the free throw line, grabbed two rebounds and dished out an assist.
FROM TONY BENNETT:
“I was really happy. I was happy for Malachi [Poindexter], one of Charlottesville’s own, and Igor (Miličić Jr.). I thought they were a bright spot in the game.”
TEAM NOTES
• UVA is 148-43 (.775) in nonconference action under Bennett, including an 84-8 record at John Paul Jones Arena
• UVA is 21-0 all-time vs. current Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents
• Virginia is 3-0 all-time against Coppin State in the series that dates back to the 1993-94 season
• UVA started the game on an 8-0 run • Coppin State’s first basket came at 15:45 of the first half
• UVA led 35-20 at the half, limiting the Eagles to 7 of 27 field goals and 3 of 17 3-pointers
• UVA had a season-high 21 bench points Player Notes
PLAYER NOTES
• Double Figure Scorers: Jayden Gardner (14), Kihei Clark (12). Igor Miličić Jr. (11), Kadin Shedrick (10)
• Gardner (14 points, 12 rebounds) had his second double-double of the season (32nd career)
• Shedrick (10 points, 10 rebounds) registered his first career double-double
• Shedrick (3 blocks) had his third straight game with three or more blocks
• Malachi Poindexter (2 points) played a career-high 14 minutes
UP NEXT
Virginia faces Georgia (2-1) on Monday (Nov. 22) at the Legends Classic from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Monday’s game will broadcast on ESPNU.