Cavaliers Beat Georgia Tech, 72-57, In Regular-Season Finale

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (22-9, 13-7 ACC) closed out regular-season play in style with a 72-57 victory over Georgia Tech (14-17, 7-13 ACC) on Saturday evening (March 9) at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers shot 52 percent (29 for 56) from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range (12 for 26) on the Senior Day that honored players Reece Beekman, Jake Groves, Tristan How and Jordan Minor, as well as student managers Joe Busch, Brian Rodgers and Wayne Yen. With the win, the Cavaliers secured the No. 3 seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament held March 12-16 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Beekman led the way for the Cavaliers with 21 points off 8 for 10 shooting, while also logging nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. Isaac McKneely made a team-high four 3-pointers en route to a 16-point performance, while Taine Murray rounded out the Hoos’ double-digit scorers with 12 off 50 percent (5 for 10) shooting.

The Yellow Jackets shot 40 percent (21 for 52) and out-rebounded the home team 34-25.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a Beekman 3-pointer that kicked off the contest’s scoring, the lead changed eight times in eight minutes. An 11-3 Virginia run, featuring made threes from Murray and Beekman, put the Cavaliers up 21-15 at the 6:33 mark. The Hoos’ offensive momentum continued to build from there, as they outscored the Yellow Jackets 17-8 throughout the remainder of the first half. A gritty steal from McKneely set the stage for a Groves fast-break 3-pointer to give the home team an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining. McKneely then made two from beyond the arc in the last two minutes of the opening stanza to give the Cavaliers a 14-point lead at the break. Beekman led all scorers at the half with 13 points off 5 for 7 shooting. The Cavaliers shot 54 percent from the field (15 for 28) and 50 percent from 3-point range (7 for 14).

The Hoos stayed hot from deep, draining three triples in the opening five minutes of the second half. Virginia’s lead grew to 20 points (57-37) by 10:03 and never shrunk to less than 13 points. The Cavalier’s last bucket of the night came off an arena-shaking Tristan How jumper.

UP NEXT
No. 3 seed Virginia will compete in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 14. Tipoff at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., is set for 9:30 p.m.