Virginia Falls 62-53 in Commonwealth Clash Rematch
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Jayden Gardner (17 points, 14 rebounds), Kadin Shedrick (11 points) and Reece Beekman (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Cavaliers (16-10, 10-6 ACC), but ultimately it was Virginia Tech (16-10, 8-7 ACC) that pulled away victorious, 62-53, at Cassell Coliseum Monday night.
Gardner’s 14 rebounds tied his season high, which he set at James Madison (Dec. 7) earlier this season. Along with his 17 points, Gardner’s performance marked his 36th career double-double, including his sixth in a Virginia uniform. He has also scored in double figures for the Cavaliers in nine straight games.
The loss snaps a four-game win streak for Virginia, its longest win streak in ACC play this season. The Cavaliers defeated Virginia Tech 54-52 at John Paul Jones Arena on Jan. 12 earlier this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cavaliers led 29-25 at the intermission after Gardner tallied 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and was 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. He also added eight of his 14 rebounds in the opening half. Virginia led by as many as five points, while the Hokies’ largest lead of the half was just four points. The score was tied 25-25 before the Cavaliers closed out the half by scoring four straight points on a Gardner made jumper and a pair of Beekman free throws. The first half saw nine lead changes and four tied scores.
Virginia Tech’s Keve Aluma, who scored a game-high 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting, tallied eight straight points for the Hokies, who took a 35-31 lead early in the second half. Shedrick’s final basket of the contest made it a four-point game (54-50) with 2:47 to play, but the Cavaliers struggled to come up with defensive stops down the stretch. The Hokies took a commanding 60-51 lead with just under 1:00 to play and UVA missed its final three field goal attempts of the game as the Hokies went on to even the season series.
UP NEXT
Virginia travels to Miami (18-7, 10-4 ACC) on Saturday, Feb. 19. Tipoff at Watsco Center is set for 5 p.m. on ACC Network.