Beekman Guides Virginia Past Pitt, 66-61

PITTSBURGH — Reece Beekman scored a team-high 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting and knocked down three 3-pointers in the first half to lead Virginia (11-7, 5-3 ACC) to a 66-61 victory at Pittsburgh (8-10, 3-4 ACC) at Petersen Events Center Wednesday night (Jan. 19).

Virginia was in control for most of the game after utilizing a 10-0 run in the first half and scoring nine unanswered in the second half, and despite both of its centers in Kadin Shedrick and Francisco Caffaro fouling out down the stretch, Virginia led for the final 16:52.

Collecting its third ACC road win of the season, Virginia’s victory Wednesday night marked the eighth consecutive win over the Panthers as the Cavaliers also swept the season series, having defeated Pitt (Dec. 3) at John Paul Jones Arena earlier this season.

The Cavalier defense held Pitt to just 1-of-6 shooting from behind the arc and forced 15 Pitt turnovers. Both teams shot 50 percent from the floor, but UVA made 27 field goal attempts – six more than the Panthers – and dished out 27 assists on the night.

In addition to Beekman, Jayden Gardner (14 points, 5-9 FG) and Shedrick (12 points, 6-6 FG) also scored in double digits for the Hoos. Shedrick’s 12 points match his career high.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half saw eight lead changes, but ultimately it was the Cavaliers who led at the break, 29-25. Pitt shot 50 percent from the floor, but the Virginia defense held them to just nine made field goals as the Cavaliers forced 10 turnovers, which resulted in 12 UVA points. Virginia also tacked on seven second-chance points thanks to eight offensive rebounds, while Pitt only managed three offensive boards in the opening half. With just under 5:00 to play in the first half, the Panthers went on a 6-0 run to gain a 22-17 lead before UVA responded with a 10-0 run of its own. The Cavaliers’ 10-point run was highlighted by a pair made 3-pointers from Beekman. Beekman scored 11 of his 19 total points in the first half on 4-of-5 shooting and was perfect on all three of his 3-point attempts. Virginia is now 8-1 on the season when leading its opponents at halftime.

Shedrick scored eight of UVA’s first 10 points of the second half, but picked up his fourth foul of the contest early in the second half and was forced retreat to the bench. Pitt clung to its final lead of the game, 34-33, with 17:08 to play before the Cavaliers went on a 10-2 run and then a 9-0 run minutes later, resulting in UVA’s largest lead of the game (54-44) with 7:29 to play. After Caffaro and Shedrick fouled out of the game within 30 seconds of each other, Pitt made it one-possession game – 62-59 – with 1:38 to play. Virginia effectively closed the door on Pitt’s comeback attempt after Beekman drove past the defense and dished out his eighth assist to Armaan Franklin (6 points, 3-9 FG), who made a layup with 26 seconds remaining.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Reece Beekman. The sophomore guard finished one point shy of tying his career high, which he achieved against Clemson (Dec. 22) earlier this season. Tonight, Beekman set career highs in both field goals (8) and assists (8) and matched his career high with three made 3-pointers. Beekman tallied his sixth double-digit scoring outing of the season and has scored in double figures for the Cavaliers in three of their last four contests. The ACC’s leader in steals also extended his steal streak to eight straight games.

UP NEXT
Virginia travels to NC State (9-10, 2-6 ACC) for an ACC contest on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tipoff at PNC Arena is set for 4 p.m. on ACC Network.