Virginia Basketball: Cavaliers hold on for close win over Notre Dame

It wasn’t easy but the fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers hold on for 60-54 win over Notre Dame.

The No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers (22-2, 10-2) defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-12, 3-9) 82-55 just three weeks ago in South Bend. Things were much tougher this time around as the Wahoos hung on for a hard-fought 60-54 win in Charlottesville.

The theme of this game was UVa would get out to a seven-point lead, then the Fighting Irish would go on a mini-run. Therefore, the Cavaliers could never pull away. Late in the game, it appeared Virginia was set to finally end this one with a double-digit victory, however, the Irish once again hung tough and cut a 54-44 deficit to a two-point game with under a minute remaining.

UVa’s defense proved too much in the end and the Hoos hit their final six three throws to ice the game in the end and stay just a half-game behind Duke for first place in the ACC. Junior guard Kyle Guy led Virginia with 22 points and sophomore forward De’Andre Hunter chipped in with 20 points. They were the only two Wahoos to score in double figures as point guard Ty Jerome finished with just eight points.

This one looked like a slugfest early as the Notre Dame had a 4-2 lead five minutes into the game before Guy hit the first of his four three-point baskets. Although UVa struggled to put the Irish away, that 4-2 lead would be the only time Notre Dame would lead in this game.

Notre Dame guard TJ Gibbs looked to be on pace for an epic day as he scored the first 10 points of the game for the Fighting Irish. However, Virginia’s defense tightened up and held Gibbs in check for much of the rest of the game. Gibbs did finish with 17 points to lead the Fighting Irish as he shot 6 of 14 from the field.

A big reason for Virginia’s failure to pull away was its poor shooting from the field. UVa shot just 36.5 percent from the field, including 34 percent from beyond the arc. Braxton Key and Kihei Clark combined to go 1 of 11 from the field and missed all seven of their three-point attempts, most of which were wide-open looks.

Notre Dame big man, John Mooney, one of only six players in the NCAA to average a double-double, finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Mooney was mostly quiet on the offensive end, missing an open three late that would’ve cut Virginia’s lead to one with under 20 seconds remaining.

After the game, Virginia head coach Tony Bennett recognized the need for his team to play better, but accurately stated just how tough it is to win in the ACC.

Much like last week, the Cavaliers have a quick turnaround with a trip to No. 22 Virginia Tech on Monday night. Then, UVa travels to No. 16 Louisville next Saturday. Just as Bennett stated, nothing is easy in the ACC and the Hoos will continue to be tested.