As the result of a total team effort, Virginia (12-6, 3-3 ACC) cruised to an 85-72 victory over Florida State last night. After a hard-fought win against Wake Forest, the Cavaliers managed to maintain control throughout the entire game to earn a key conference win.
"This was one of our better games this season," coach Pete Gillen said of Virginia's decisive victory.
"Earlier on in the year we had problems holding leads," sophomore forward Jason Clark said. "Tonight we were able to control the game for the whole 40 minutes. That shows how far we have come since the beginning of the season."
Gillen pulled a rabbit out of his hat with his 10th different starting lineup of the season. sophomore forward Jason Clark proved to be the most valuable addition to that lineup. In his second start of the season, Clark busted out of the gate, scoring the first seven points for Virginia en route to a 12 point, four rebound performance. The Virginia Beach native also provided the highlight of the night, slamming a half court lob pass thrown by junior guard Todd Billet.
"There are only a couple of guys in the conference who can catch that pass," Billet said. "Thankfully one of them plays for Virginia."
The 12 points ties a career high for Clark, but that may not have been his most valuable contribution to the victory, as his defensive efforts also played a significant role in keeping Virginia ahead.
"Clark is a great defender," Gillen said. "When he can get 12 points that's a bonus."
Yet Clark was not the only Cavalier shining on the defensive end. A combined team effort defensively kept the game squarely in Virginia's hands. The Cavaliers held Florida State to just 28 first-half points on 37 percent shooting.
"I think it was a good defensive effort on our part," Gillen said. "That was a big factor in us getting the win."
Florida State managed to remain in the game in the second half behind a stellar performance from junior guard Tim Pickett. Pickett, who shot 1 for 8 from the field in the first half and had just three points, exploded for 18 second-half points courtesy of six makes from beyond the arc.
Virginia managed to weather the three point barrage from Pickett and maintain control as Virginia, who went 10-deep, was able to respond with key buckets when necessary. Something easier said than done against a stingy Seminole defense.
"We had to labor a little to score points," Gillen said. "We had to earn them all; Florida State has a good defense."
Struggling of late, freshman forward Derrick Byars was able to find his stroke against the Seminoles, netting 15 points off of the bench and knocking down 4 for 6 from long-range.
"Derrick gave us a great lift," Gillen said. "He played very well. He's a terrific player with as much upside as anyone on our team."
"I just tried to let my offense come to me," Byars said. "I was a little dejected [these last couple weeks], but I'm just trying to stay positive. I just came out with a positive attitude tonight and played well."
Byars was one of five Cavaliers to score in the double digits. Byars, Clark, Billet, sophomore forward Elton Brown and senior center Travis Watson, all scored in double figures for The Cavaliers. The last time that was achieved was Feb.27, 2002 in a 87-84 win over Duke.
Virginia will put its two-game winning streak on the line as they leave the cozy confines of University Hall for a Saturday afternoon matchup at Georgia Tech.
"We feel real confident as a team right now," Clark said. "Now we have to take that confidence with us to Atlanta."
Read More
For Leah Hayes, 'Just keep swimming' is what Virginia is all about
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayShe shatters records in the pool and is an inspiration to swimming fans and all those with alopecia.
Virginia comes back from a 20-point gap but falls short versus No. 18 Georgia Tech
By Victoria Blankenship | YesterdayVirginia loses another ACC bout in heartbreaking fashion.
How a reinvention turned Andrew Rohde into men’s basketball’s most reliable player
By Thomas Baxter | 2 days agoThe guard has become one of Virginia's primary threats.
