The Virginia Cavaliers are set to host the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in what promises to be an exciting matchup at John Paul Jones Arena on Tuesday. This game marks the final outing for the Cavaliers before an 11-day break due to final exams.
Currently boasting an impressive 8-1 record, UVA comes off a successful performance against Dayton, where they secured an 86-73 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cavaliers faced a challenge, leading by only four points at halftime. However, they quickly found their stride, initiating a dominant 21-3 run early in the second half that allowed them to lead by as much as 21 points at one stage. Despite a late push from Dayton, who managed to go on a 14-0 run to narrow the gap to seven, Virginia maintained control and held on for the win.
In that game, UVA showcased their sharpshooting ability, converting an impressive 60 percent of their three-point attempts, while restricting Dayton to a mere 30.4 percent from beyond the arc. The standout player for the Cavaliers was Jacari White, who had a stellar performance with a game-high 25 points on an unblemished shooting night, going 9-for-9 overall and 7-for-7 from three-point range. Chance Mallory was the only other Cavalier to reach double figures, contributing 12 points.
On the other side, Maryland Eastern Shore arrives at Tuesday’s contest with a 4-8 overall record following a disappointing loss to American, where they fell 78-60. The Hawks have faced tough competition this season, dropping games to notable opponents including Georgia Tech, Georgia, Nebraska, Creighton, and East Carolina. Their lone highlight thus far was a victory against Longwood, noted for its low ranking on KenPom.
In that recent defeat, Joseph Locandro led the Hawks with 20 points, while Justin Monden added 10 points to the score. The team’s struggles are reflected in their ranking, sitting at #346 on KenPom, indicating significant challenges ahead against the higher-ranked Cavaliers, who currently sit at #21 with hopes of extending their winning ways.
Fans can tune in for the matchup, which is set for 7 P.M. and will be broadcast on ACCN Extra. After Tuesday’s game, the Cavaliers will have a brief hiatus before returning to the court on December 20 to take on the Maryland Terrapins at JPJ Arena, a game that promises to be pivotal as conference play approaches.
