The Virginia Cavaliers’ (15-17, 8-12 ACC) turbulent season came to an end Wednesday afternoon as they fell 66-60 to No. 8 seed Georgia Tech (17-15, 10-10 ACC) in the second round of the ACC Tournament at the Spectrum Center. Despite a spirited comeback in the final minutes, the Cavaliers were unable to erase the deficit and extend their postseason journey.
The game was knotted at 25 each at halftime, but Virginia struggled to keep pace with the Yellow Jackets coming out of the locker room. Georgia Tech surged ahead, building a 13-point cushion with just under three minutes remaining. Yet, in a fitting display of the grit that has defined their season, Virginia mounted a furious 14-3 run to cut the lead to two points with just 25 seconds left on the clock. Ultimately, however, Georgia Tech capitalized at the free throw line, sinking four quick shots in the final moments to put the game out of reach.
Isaac McKneely provided the offensive spark for Virginia, tying his season high with 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Despite McKneely’s heroics, the Cavaliers shot just 36.2 percent from the field and were outrebounded 44-26, a margin that proved costly down the stretch.
“I’m just proud of the guys for battling, not only today but throughout this entire season,” said interim head coach Ron Sanchez in the postgame press conference. “It’s been a season of tremendous adversity and a lot of unknowns. Just give them all a lot of credit for their maturity and willingness to really fight all the way to the last buzzer.”
Virginia’s defensive effort was notable early, as the Cavaliers held Georgia Tech without a basket for nearly nine minutes in the first half. However, foul trouble and second-chance points plagued UVA, as the Yellow Jackets dominated the court with a 40-24 scoring advantage inside.
In addition to McKneely, Jacob Cofie contributed nine points and five rebounds, while Andrew Rohde added five points and four assists. Dai Dai Ames saw his 10-game double-figure scoring streak come to an end, finishing with four points on 1-of-9 shooting.
While Virginia forced 13 turnovers and registered 10 steals, their struggles on the boards and inability to consistently finish at the rim hampered their ability to seize control. Georgia Tech’s Duncan Powell led all Yellow Jackets with 21 points and three rebounds, while Baye Ndongo contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.
With the loss, Virginia’s season comes to a close with a final record of 15-17, their lowest win total since 2013. The Cavaliers were also unable to advance past the second round of the ACC Tournament, marking a bittersweet end to a campaign marked by transition.
Coach Sanchez emphasized the leadership displayed in the locker room, especially from the team’s veterans.
“These two guys next to me (referring to players Isaac McKneely and Andrew Rohde) were leaders in the locker room,” Sanchez said. “They kept the group together and playing hard, and they helped sustain our culture.”
The program now turns toward an offseason filled with questions, including who will permanently take the reins following Tony Bennett’s surprise retirement last October. But despite the uncertainty, Sanchez remained grateful: “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to have coached this team this season, and I really appreciate just the fight and effort of the group all season long.”
Virginia’s season ended with a 66-60 loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament.
If you’re interested in reviewing the recap, postgame notes or the postgame interview—feel free to head to the UVA Men’s Basketball Website or click on those links.
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