Cavaliers Cruise Past Syracuse in ACC Opener, 84-62

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Led by Isaac McKneely who recorded a career-high in both points (22 points) and 3-pointers (six 3-pointers), Virginia (7-1, 1-0 ACC) took down Syracuse (5-3, 0-1 ACC), 84-62, on Saturday (Dec. 2) at John Paul Jones Arena.

Virginia shot 30-of-55 from the field (55 percent) and knocked down 12 3-pointers on 57 percent shooting.

In addition to McKneely, Reece Beekman (13 points, eight assists) and Andrew Rohde (10 points, four assists) also finished in double-figures for the Hoos.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The two sides opened up trading short bursts of scoring, with neither side able to take a sizable lead over the other until Virginia sparked a 11-2 run, taking a 28-19 lead. McKneely capped off UVA’s scoring in the first half hitting his fourth shot from beyond the arc. He finished the opening period with 16 points after going six-for-nine from the field.

The Hoos came out of the break with their foot on the gas, hitting five of their first six shots in the second half before exploding on a 21-3 scoring run to take a commanding 70-38 lead over the Orange. Syracuse would try to cut into the deficit with a 10-0 run of their own, but Virginia hung on to its lead to claim its first ACC win of the season.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Isaac McKneely. McKneely finished with a career-high 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting (73 percent) and knocked down six 3-pointers on eight shots from beyond the arc. His 22 points are the most by any UVA player in a single game this season.

UP NEXT
Virginia hosts North Carolina Central on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra