UVa. jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first half and held off two Notre Dame runs in an impressive 68-53 ACC road win Tuesday night.
The win puts the Cavs (16-5, 7-1 ACC) a half-game out of first place behind #2 Syracuse in the ACC.
As in their other seven ACC wins, Virginia jumped out on top early, holding the Fighting Irish (11-10, 2-6 ACC) to four field goals in the first 12:37 as the ‘Hoos bolted to an early 23-9 lead.
The lead was 32-12 on an Anthony Gill jumper at the 4:34 mark, but Notre Dame outscored Virginia 12-2 to end the half, cutting the margin to 10, 34-24, at the break.
UVa. eliminated any doubt coming out of the locker room on a 9-0 run that pushed the lead back to 19 at 43-24 at the 16:44 mark on a layup by Malcolm Brogdon.
The lead stretched to 24 before the Irish were able to cut into the margin in garbage time.
Brogdon led Virginia with 16 points. Mike Tobey added 14 points.
UVa. shot 53.8 percent from the floor (28-of-52) and held Notre Dame to 42.6 percent shooting (20-of-47) and forced 20 Irish turnovers.
Team Notes
• Virginia has won four straight games
• Virginia is 6-1 all-time vs. Notre Dame, including a six-game winning streak
• Virginia’s 7-1 ACC start is its best since 1982-1983
• The margin of victory in each of the Cavaliers’ first seven ACC wins is at least 10 points, for the first time in school history
• Virginia tied a season high by shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the first half
Player Career Highs
• Malcolm Brogdon had a career-high five steals
• Brogdon matched a career high with seven rebounds
• Brogdon matched a career high with six assists
Player Notes
• Malcolm Brogdon (16 pts) reached double figures for a career-best eighth straight game and 14th time (19th career)
• Mike Tobey (14 pts) reached double figures for the eighth time this season (17th career)