Hoos Cruise Past Tarleton State in Season Opener, 80-50

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In the first-ever meeting between Virginia (1-0) and Tarleton State (0-1), the Cavaliers walked away with the 80-50 victory in their 2023-24 season opener at John Paul Jones Arena on Monday (Nov. 6).

Virginia was led by Reece Beekman, who finished with a game-high 16 points, seven assists and three steals. Isaac McKneely also chipped in 15 points (4-8 from three) while Leon Bond III added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for UVA.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hoos jumped out to an 11-4 lead after sinking four of their five first half 3-pointers in the opening 3:26 of the contest. Virginia forced seven turnovers and held Tarleton State scoreless for close to six and a half minutes midway through the opening stanza. Bond provided a spark off the bench for the Cavaliers recording 10 of his 12 points in the first half while chipping in 6 rebounds. Beekman capped a 16-5 scoring run with a buzzer-beating driving layup to send UVA into the break with a 24-point lead over the Texans, 43-19.

After a scoreless first half, Oklahoma transfer Jake Groves knocked down three 3-pointers, two of which came during a 14-4 Cavalier run halfway through the second period that gave Virginia a commanding 29-point lead.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Reece Beekman. He led all scorers with 16 points on 5-9 shooting to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and three first half steals. Beekman also finished 6-7 from the charity stripe, matching his career high in free throws made.

UP NEXT
Virginia battles Florida (1-0) in a Hall of Fame Series contest on Friday, Nov. 10 in Charlotte, N.C. Tipoff at the Spectrum Center is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network.