Forward Anthony Gill had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Tobey added two blocks as the defending ACC champion Cavaliers (2-0) won easily despite shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 11-of-17 from the line. Sharpshooting from 3-point range was the difference as Virginia shot better on 3-pointers (10-of-21) than it did on two-point tries (13-of-32).
Justin Anderson also reached double figures with 11 points and senior Darion Atkins was 4-for-4 for nine points off the bench. Jeffrey Short had a game-high 19 points for Norfolk State (1-1), which shot just 23.5 percent from the field.
Both teams were cold to start the second half but Norfolk State was downright frigid with just three free throws until Short made a layup with 10:27 left in the game. A 3-pointer by Anderson and seven points from Atkins during that span gave the Cavaliers a 52-27 lead and they coasted to the win.
Leading 29-16, Virginia went on a 9-0 run, holding Norfolk State scoreless for 4:38, to lead 38-16 with 2:28 left in the half. Short kept the Spartans in the game by nailing four 3-pointers in six tries and had 15 points, while his teammates were a combined 3-of-16 from the field.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Starting PG London Perrantes (seven points, four assists) and reserve Evan Nolte (five points) made their season debuts after being suspended for the opener for a violation of team rules over the summer. … The Cavaliers dominated the inside on defense in the first half, holding the Spartans to seven field goals (five 3-pointers) and a 30.4 percent shooting percentage. … Virginia is 22-0 all-time against MEAC opponents and 4-0 versus Norfolk State.
Norfolk State | Virginia | |
Jeffrey Short 19 | Scoring | Justin Anderson 11 |
Jamel Fuentes 3 | Assists | Justin Anderson 4 |
Malik Thomas 7 | Rebounds | Anthony Gill 8 |
Jeffrey Short 3 | Free Throws Made | Anthony Gill 3 |
Jordan Butler 2 | Steals | Darion Atkins 2 |
Malik Thomas 2 | Blocks | Anthony Gill 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Norfolk State | 39 | 23.5 | 7-17 | 8-9 | 8 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
Virginia | 67 | 43.4 | 10-21 | 11-17 | 19 | 36 | 11 | 9 | 11 |