Propelled by an 18-3 run to end the first half, Virginia overcame a sluggish start to down Bradley 82-57 in the quarterfinals of the Gildan Charleston Classic in Charleston, South Carolina.
The sixth-ranked Cavaliers (2-1, 0-0 ACC) tightened up a defense that allowed 73 points on 45.1 percent shooting against George Washington three nights prior. The Braves (1-2, 0-0 MVC) connected on only 39.1 percent of all field-goal attempts, but did shoot 6-for-15 from beyond the three-point arc.
Led by senior forward Anthony Gill’s 16 points, four of Virginia’s five starters scored in double digits. Gill was 6-for-8 from the floor and pulled down seven rebounds.
Sophomore guard Marial Shayok scored ten points and grabbed six rebounds in his first start this season. As a freshman, Shayok has started only once, but appeared in all 34 contests.
Virginia returned to dominance on the glass. The Cavaliers outrebounded Bradley 35-21 and pulled down 81.8 percent of all possible defensive rebounds. Nine Virginia players finished the game with multiple boards.
Freshman forward Luuk van Bree led the Braves with 16 points and four of Bradley’s six made three-pointers. The Venray, Netherlands native was the only Brave to break double digits.
The Cavaliers once again eclipsed 20 personal fouls and sent Bradley to the free throw line 24 times, where the Braves shot 62.5 percent. Virginia reached the line on 17 occasions and made all but one of its free throws.
Virginia’s bench made amends for its no-show against George Washington with 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Redshirt freshman center Jack Salt and sophomores guard Darius Thompson and forward Isaiah Wilkins each scored six points, and the trio made seven of nine shots.
With the victory, the Cavaliers will advance to the semifinals for a matchup against Long Beach State — who defeated Seton Hall 80-77 — Friday night at 9:30 p.m.
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