No. 8 Virginia basketball dominated UNC-Greensboro 76-51 Friday night in their first contest of the season.
Junior guard Marial Shayok led the Cavaliers (1-0) with 15 points on the night. Three other Virginia players recorded double digit points against the Spartans (0-1). Junior forward Isaiah Wilkins collected the most minutes played out of the Cavaliers with 29 minutes and recorded 10 points. Senior point guard London Perrantes tallied 10 points, and junior guard Darius Thompson scored three three-pointers en route to recording 12 points.
The Cavaliers started off the season on a high note despite missing two forwards — Memphis transfer and junior Austin Nichols and redshirt freshman Mamadi Diakite — due to suspensions.
Virginia’s offense shot 52 percent and made eight of their 16 three-point attempts. The defense held strong throughout, allowing the Cavaliers to jump out to a 22-15 lead to start off the game. Virginia was able to hold UNC-Greensboro scoreless for a period of 11 minutes from the end of the first half to the beginning of the second half.
Sophomore guard Francis Alonso led the Spartans in scoring with 14 points, but UNC-Greensboro only shot 37 percent over the course of the game.
Wilkins led the Cavaliers with nine rebounds, and sophomore forward Jarred Reuter followed behind with six. Coach Tony Bennett had the opportunity to test out one of his true freshman: guard Kyle Guy, who played 19 minutes and shot three of five for seven points.
Virginia returns home next to take on St. Francis Brooklyn at John Paul Jones Arena Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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