Everybody scores as Virginia easily rolls to victory in first Italian exhibition, 76-24

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Posted on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, 6:33 pm

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: UVA Athletics

As expected, Virginia rolled past its first opponent Saturday during the Cavaliers’ 10-day exhibition schedule in Italy.

UVA hammered the Stella Azzurra Basketball Academy squad, 76-24, in Rome. The Cavaliers, true to their defensive nature, didn’t allow Stella Azzurra a field goal for the first 11-plus minutes of the contest.

Virginia led 40-10 at halftime, 57-16 after three quarters, with all 10 of the Cavaliers scoring. Tony Bennett is sitting out three players per game to provide equal playing opportunities. Kihei Clark, Francisco Caffaro and Taine Murray didn’t play in Saturday’s game.

Kadin Shedrick led UVA with 13 points, 7 rebounds and a blocked shot, followed by freshman Leon Bond with 10 points, 4 rebounds and two blocks. Reece Beekman posted 9 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while another freshman, Ryan Dunn, put up 9 points, 7 rebounds and recorded a steal. Yet another freshman, Isaac Traudt, scored 8 points, had 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

You can check out the highlights below:

Beekman, Armaan Franklin, Jayden Gardner, freshman Isaac McKneely and Shedrick started the game for the Cavaliers, who leave Rome for Florence on Sunday. The next game will be on Tuesday. UVA will play four exhibitions before returning to Charlottesville.

The team toured Rome, visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and Palatine Hill.