In the Virginia team meeting room after Saturday's 81-79 win over Clemson, someone had written "Great win!" on the dry erase board. Though it was quickly erased as members of the media entered the room for post-game interviews, this positive attitude emerged among Cavalier players and coaches alike as the team earned its first ACC victory of the season.
"It's a load off of our shoulders, because we were 0-5," Virginia point guard Sean Singletary said. "We stopped the bleeding."
A Virginia win was not ensured until the final buzzer, when Tiger forward Sharrod Ford watched his game-winning three-pointer fall just short of the rim. The Cavaliers were able to stay just ahead throughout the second half after enduring nine lead changes before halftime.
The Tiger backcourt played physical defense throughout the contest, consistently creating body contact against Cavaliers outside the arc. Virginia was not nearly as successful with defensive pressure beyond the arc, allowing Clemson to hit 13 three-pointers in the game.
However, the Cavaliers tallied their fewest turnovers against an ACC opponent in coach Pete Gillen's career and shot 63 percent in the second half to hold off the Tiger three-point attack. Virginia was able to score 20 points off of Clemson turnovers, while turning the ball over just six times
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