3-Point Shooting Leads Cavaliers Past Fighting Irish, 65-53

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (16-5, 7-3 ACC) made a season-high 13 3-pointers to earn their 22nd-straight home win in a 65-53 defeat of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-14, 2-8 ACC) on Wednesday night (Jan. 31) at John Paul Jones Arena.

The Cavaliers never trailed in the contest and were led by Reece Beekman, who matched his career-high points (21) while adding six assists and four steals. Jake Groves contributed 18 points off a career-high six 3-pointers made. Isaac McKneely rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points off 4 for 10 shooting.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After McKneely opened the game’s scoring with a 3-pointer, the two sides traded blows until Virginia strung together a 12-2 scoring run to jump out to a 30-17 lead with two minutes remaining in the first half. The Cavaliers went into the break leading 38-23, thanks in large part to Jake Groves matching his career high with five buckets from beyond the arc. The Hoos shot 52 percent (14 for 27) from the field and 60 percent (9 for 15) from 3-point range in the contest’s opening 20 minutes.

The Fighting Irish never cut their deficit to less than 8 points throughout the second half. Jake Groves hit his sixth 3-pointer of the game to set a new career record whilst tying a season-high 12 made in a game for the Cavaliers. With three minutes left, Beekman hit his fourth 3-pointer of the night to set a new Virginia game-high this season (13 3FG).

UP NEXT
Virginia travels to Clemson for an ACC battle on Saturday, Feb. 3. Tipoff at Littlejohn Coliseum is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN.