Cavaliers Blow Past Louisville, 69-52

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia (15-5, 6-3 ACC) held Louisville (6-14, 1-8 ACC) to 36 percent (15 of 42) shooting and forced 18 turnovers to cruise to a 69-52 victory at the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 27).

Ryan Dunn led the Cavaliers with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Isaac McKneely and Jake Groves each finished with nine points off of three 3-pointers. Reece Beekman added nine points, nine assists and season-high five steals.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia opened the contest with stifling defense on full display, keeping the Cardinals off the scoreboard for the first nearly six minutes of play. The Cavaliers never trailed in the contest after jumping out to an early 11-0 advantage and then orchestrating a commanding 27-4 run to expand the lead to 41-13 at the half. The Cardinals made just four field goals, shot 20 percent (4-for-20 FG) and committed 10 turnovers in the first stanza. Virginia shot 57 percent (16-for-28 FG) and out-rebounded the home team 17-13. Dunn led all scorers at the break with 12 points on 5 of 5 shooting.

Virginia never allowed Louisville to shrink the deficit to less than 17 points despite an 11-0 Cardinal scoring run midway through the second half. The Cavaliers finished the contest shooting 27-for-54 (50 percent).

UP NEXT
Virginia hosts Notre Dame in ACC action on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN2.