Cavaliers Bounce Back With 72-68 Win Over Boston College
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Virginia Cavaliers (21-8, 12-6 ACC) snapped out of their offensive slump in a 72-68 win over the Boston College Eagles (15-13, 6-11 ACC) on Wednesday night (Feb. 28) at Conte Forum. The Cavaliers shot 44 percent (24 for 54) and knocked down eight 3-pointers, their most in the past five games. The 72 points scored marked Virginia’s highest since Feb. 10 at Florida State.
The Cavaliers had three players finish in the double digits, beginning with Reece Beekman recording 18 after shooting 5 for 8 and draining 8 of 10 from the line. Beekman also added five rebounds as well as a team-high eight assists. Isaac McKneely tallied 14 points after shooting 50 percent (4 for 8 FG, 3 for 6 3FG). Rounding out the double digit scorers was Jake Groves, who, in his first start since Jan. 13 at Wake Forest, logged 13 points off 5 for 11 shooting with three triples and four rebounds.
In addition, Ryan Dunn’s career-high 13 rebound performance led the way for the Cavaliers to out-rebound the Eagles, 37-30.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A 9-0 Virginia scoring run accompanied by five scoreless minutes for the Eagles gave the Cavaliers a 11-2 lead just over six minutes into the contest. Boston College then responded by outscoring Virginia 11-4 over the following five minutes to cut their deficit to two points (15-13). Two made free throws from Jordan Minor, followed by a triple from Taine Murray, put the Cavaliers up by five at the 7:29 mark. The Eagles countered with a 6-2 burst to bring the game within one point (22-21), but consecutive made layups from Beekman and Dunn maintained the Virginia lead. The Cavaliers went into halftime with a 27-23 advantage after shooting 39 percent (11 for 28) and out-rebounding the home team, 20-17. Beekman led all scorers at the break with eight points off 4 for 6 shooting. Dunn pulled down 9 rebounds, his most in the first half this season.
The two sides exchanged threes to kick off the second stanza, then Virginia claimed an eight-point lead following a quick six points. A 12-3 Boston College run over the next three minutes, punctuated by two consecutive dunks from Devin McGlockton, gave the home team their first lead of the night (40-39). A pair of Beekman free throws quickly put the Cavaliers back on top, but the lead would flip three more times until an 11-0 Virginia run featuring three consecutive 3-pointers, two from McKneely and one from Groves, permanently turned the tide in favor of the Hoos. Boston College’s Quinten Post tallied seven makes from the line over the following two minutes to keep the Eagles in the game, but despite an Eagles and one at 29 seconds that brought the game within two, the Cavaliers secured the victory following a clutch pair of free throws from McKneely that made it a two possession game with 25 seconds remaining on the clock.
UP NEXT
Virginia plays at No. 10 Duke on Saturday, March 2. Tipoff at Cameron Indoor Stadium is 6 p.m. on ESPN.