Virginia Topples No. 14 Texas A&M in Inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge, 59-47

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (6-1) held Texas A&M (6-2) to 17-of-56 shooting (30.4 percent) in a 59-47 victory in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge at John Paul Jones Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 29).

Virginia’s starters—Andrew Rohde (13 points, six rebounds), Reece Beekman (12 points, three steals), Ryan Dunn (12 points, five blocks), Jake Groves (12 points, four rebounds) and Isaac McKneely (10 points, two 3-pointers)—all scored in double figures.

First-year guard Elijah Gertrude made his collegiate debut in the first half.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hoos leaped out to an 8-2 lead to open the contest, which included back-to-back 3-pointers from McKneely. UVA continued to build its lead to 20-13 before Texas A&M orchestrated a 10-0 run and took its first lead with five minutes left in the first half. The two sides then traded buckets but a Dunn 3-pointer sent the Cavaliers into the half with a 27-26 lead.

Virginia sparked a 12-2 scoring run coming out of the break to take a 39-28 advantage. The Aggies answered with an 8-0 run and held UVA scoreless for five-and-a-half minutes, but the seal was broken by a ferocious dunk from Dunn. The Hoos scored seven points unanswered soon thereafter, taking their largest lead of the night (14 points) and held off Texas A&M for the 59-47 win.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Ryan Dunn. Dunn finished with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also added five blocks, five rebounds and two steals on the night.

UP NEXT
Virginia hosts Syracuse in its ACC opener on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for Noon on ESPN2.