Virginia 80, North Texas 64: Freshman Justin Anderson scored 14 points off the bench to lead five in double figures and the host Cavaliers built a big lead early and held off the Mean Green in the consolation round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
Teven Jones and Evan Nolte each had 13 points and Joe Harris had 12 and Darion Atkins added 10 for Virginia, which shot 58.7 percent from the floor. The Cavaliers were a sizzling 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from 3-point range.
The Cavaliers (4-2) raced to a 17-4 lead and held their biggest advantage of the first half at 42-19 with 49 seconds left. Virginia pushed the lead to as many as 24 points early in the second half before North Texas (3-3) came charging back.
North Texas got within nine points, but Anderson scored six straight during a 10-2 run to help the Cavaliers pull away.
Tony Mitchell collected 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the Mean Green. Jordan Williams added 12 points and Alzee Williams chipped in 11.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Virginia improved to 21-2 in games in which it has scored at least 60 points since the start of last season. ... The Cavaliers are 27-2 under coach Tony Bennett when scoring at least 70. … Virginia's bench outscored North Texas' reserves 32-14. … The Cavaliers shot 59.3 percent (16-for-27) in the first half, while North Texas was 7-for-25 (28 percent).
North Texas | Virginia | |
Tony Mitchell 16 | Scoring | Justin Anderson 14 |
P.J. Hardwick 2 | Assists | Justin Anderson 4 |
Tony Mitchell 9 | Rebounds | Darion Atkins 9 |
Tony Mitchell 7 | Free Throws Made | Justin Anderson 6 |
Alzee Williams 2 | Steals | Justin Anderson 3 |
Tony Mitchell 3 | Blocks | Darion Atkins 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
North Texas | 64 | 36.2 | 3-19 | 19-26 | 5 | 28 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
Virginia | 80 | 58.7 | 8-11 | 18-24 | 18 | 25 | 5 | 7 | 15 |