City of Basketball Love

Jeff Griffith (@Jeff_Griffith21)
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--Despite an improved three-point shooting performance, no. 12 Villanova (8-2) was out-sized by the no. 8 Virginia Cavaliers (9-1) on the way to their second loss against a top-ten opponent, by a final score of 86-75.

At First…
Kris Jenkins knocking down a three on the opening possession opened up Villanova to knock down 4-of-10 in the first half. The improved shooting for the Wildcats kept them in it in the first half, as Virginia was able to outplay Villanova on the inside and open up a seven point lead with three minutes to go in the half.

Virginia would end the half up 33-29 after a last-second slam by Villanova center Daniel Ochefu, who went into the break with a team-high eight points.

Turning Point…
After Villanova quickly tied the game at 35 to start the half, things were close until Virginia ripped off a 14-0 run to open up a 55-43 lead with nine minutes to go. The Wildcats were able to cut it to six twice--61-55 with six minutes left and 65-59 with five minutes left--and even got within a possession at the four minute mark.

Then, a London Perrantes three-pointer opened the lead back up to six, and after another Villanova score, Perrantes drained another three to build the lead to seven. Virginia was able to hold on from there and pull away, through the final three minutes.

Shining Stars…
Jenkins had a phenomenal day for Villanova, leading the way with a game-high 23 points while knocking down five of his eleven three-point attempts.

Virginia’s Anthony Gill also found the basket in bulk, leading the Cavaliers with 22 points and seven rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes had 20 and 19 apiece while Brogdon contributed seven boards and went 12-of-12 at the free-throw line.

Noteworthy Numbers…
Having made three of their first five three-pointers, VIllanova didn’t struggle as mightily as they have been from long distance, finishing with an overall three-point shooting mark mark of 10-of-26. This, of course, was a vast improvement from their dismal 4-of-32 performance against their other top-ten non-conference opponent, Oklahoma. The most telling stat, however, was on the glass; the ‘Cats were out-rebounded by the bigger Cavaliers, by a final margin of 32-19.

Virginia was also lights out from the free throw line, going 26-of-30 at the stripe after making their first 13 attempts. The Cavaliers were also on fire from long distance, hitting 8-of-12 threes.

Up Next…
No. 12 Villanova (8-2) vs. Delaware (12/22, 2:00 p.m.)
No. 8 Virginia (9-1) vs. California (12/22, 9:00 p.m.)

Jeff Griffith (@Jeff_Griffith21)
--

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--Despite an improved three-point shooting performance, no. 12 Villanova (8-2) was out-sized by the no. 8 Virginia Cavaliers (9-1) on the way to their second loss against a top-ten opponent, by a final score of 86-75.

At First…
Kris Jenkins knocking down a three on the opening possession opened up Villanova to knock down 4-of-10 in the first half. The improved shooting for the Wildcats kept them in it in the first half, as Virginia was able to outplay Villanova on the inside and open up a seven point lead with three minutes to go in the half.

Virginia would end the half up 33-29 after a last-second slam by Villanova center Daniel Ochefu, who went into the break with a team-high eight points.

Turning Point…
After Villanova quickly tied the game at 35 to start the half, things were close until Virginia ripped off a 14-0 run to open up a 55-43 lead with nine minutes to go. The Wildcats were able to cut it to six twice--61-55 with six minutes left and 65-59 with five minutes left--and even got within a possession at the four minute mark.

Then, a London Perrantes three-pointer opened the lead back up to six, and after another Villanova score, Perrantes drained another three to build the lead to seven. Virginia was able to hold on from there and pull away, through the final three minutes.

Shining Stars…
Jenkins had a phenomenal night for Villanova, leading the way with a game-high 23 points while knocking down five of his eleven three-point attempts.

Virginia’s Anthony Gill was the only other player above twenty, leading the Cavaliers with 22 points and seven rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes had 20 and 19 apiece while Brogdon contributed seven boards and went 12-of-12 at the free-throw line.

Noteworthy Numbers…
Having made three of their first five three-pointers, VIllanova didn’t struggle as mightily as they have been from long distance, finishing with an overall three-point shooting mark mark of 10-of-26. This, of course, was a vast improvement from their dismal 4-of-32 performance against their other top-ten non-conference opponent, Oklahoma. The most telling stat, however, was on the glass; the ‘Cats were out-rebounded by the bigger Cavaliers, by a final margin of 32-19.

Virginia was also lights out from the free throw line, going 26-of-30 at the stripe after making their first 13 attempts. The Cavaliers were also on fire from long distance, hitting 8-of-12 threes.

Up Next…
No. 12 Villanova (8-2) vs. Delaware (12/22, 2:00 p.m.)
No. 8 Virginia (9-1) vs. California (12/22, 9:00 p.m.)