Cavaliers Use 2nd Half to Beat Down NC State 73-53

It started off as a game that many had hoped we would not see. NC State started off on fire while the Cavaliers could not seem to catch a break. The Wolfpack jumped out to a 15-9 lead thanks to hitting their first six shots from the field.

Many were worried that there might be a hangover from such a heart-wrenching defeat to Duke on Saturday.

Luckily, the Hoos were able to claw back into the game and ended the half tied 31-31.

It was not even remotely close after the Cavaliers threw the ball in to begin the second half.

Tony Bennett's squad used multiple runs to build, expand, and expand their lead even further. To begin the half, the Cavaliers went on a 13-4 run and never looked back. It truly got out of hand though with four and half minutes left in the game and the Hoos already up 17. Third year guard London Perrantes went on a tear by hitting three straight threes from long range to put the game all but out of reach.

Much will be made about Perrantes' threes in that stretch, but UVa's true MVP of the game was Malcolm Brogdon who lead the Hoos with 22 points, including 4-7 from three. His biggest impact on the game however was felt on the defensive side of the ball where he (and the rest of the Cavaliers) held Cat Barber to just 14 points on 4-11 shooting. Barber had entered the game averaging more than 30 points his last five games.

The Cavaliers will get the weekend off before taking on the toughest two game stretch of the season next week when they travel to Miami and host North Carolina next Saturday.