MBB: UVA handles Georgia Tech, 75-61, on Tony Bennett Day

By Scott Ratcliffe

On a day that will forever be linked to their former leader, the Virginia men’s basketball team put together another strong performance in a 75-61 victory over visiting Georgia Tech on Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena.

“Tony Bennett Day,” as Feb. 8 will now forever be remembered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, brought in some of the brightest stars of the program to pay tribute to their head coach in front of a sold-out crowd, and UVA played inspired basketball from the opening tip.

With the win, the Cavaliers (12-12, 5-8 ACC) got back to the .500-mark on the season while climbing a step further from the conference cellar, as they attempt to avoid missing the tournament in Charlotte next month.

Isaac McKneely scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the first half to set the tone, while Dai Dai Ames caught fire after halftime, scoring 14 of his 18 in the second half. Both McKneely and Ames buried four 3-pointers to lead the charge offensively.

Virginia jumped out to a 9-0 lead before the Yellow Jackets (11-13, 5-8) could blink, with McKneely knocking down a pair of triples and Andrew Rohde hitting another.

Tech fought back behind the 3-point shooting of Naithan George and Duncan Powell, grabbing a slim lead midway through the opening half, but Virginia held a 41-36 advantage at halftime.

Bennett was honored at the break, with his parents and several former players — including NBA stars (and now Cleveland Cavaliers teammates) De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome and UVA assistant coach and 2019 NCAA Tournament MOP Kyle Guy — alongside to celebrate his lasting impact and legacy.

When play resumed, the Wahoos used a 10-2 run — highlighted by Ames and Rohde long balls — to take their largest lead of the day at that point, 51-38.

From there, Tech cut the UVA lead to single digits on a couple of occasions, but the Hoos had all the answers as they cruised to their second convincing win in as many games, with Ames delivering the final dagger on a wide-open corner 3 to make it 63-49 with just over seven minutes remaining.

Virginia shot at a 49-percent clip (30 for 61), connecting on 11 of 27 attempts from beyond the arc (41 percent) and 4 of 5 (80 percent) from the charity stripe. The Cavaliers controlled the glass, 38-24, and outscored the Ramblin’ Wreck in the paint, 34-28. UVA registered 16 second-chance points off of 13 offensive rebounds while converting 13 points from Tech’s 8 giveaways. Virginia also committed 8 turnovers, but only gave up 5 points as a result.

Rohde (11 points, 8 assists, no turnovers) has committed just one turnover across his past five games, dishing out 32 assists over that span.

The Hoos also saw Elijah Saunders return to action Saturday after he had sat out the previous three games with an injury. The San Diego State transfer didn’t score (0 for 3 FG), but chipped in with 5 rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes off the bench as he continues to work his way back to 100 percent.

Blake Buchanan reached double digits in the rebounding department for the second straight contest, finishing with 11 boards to go along with his 7 points and 4 assists. First-year forward Jacob Cofie added 9 points, 6 rebounds and a pair of steals.

Tony’s son, Eli Bennett, saw some mop-up action and made the most of it, coming away with a steal and hockey assist that led to a Desmond Roberts layup in the final minute.

Georgia Tech shot 45 percent (24 for 53) on the evening, including 44 percent from long distance (8 of 18) and 56 percent (5 of 9) from the free-throw line. George (5 for 9 from downtown) led the Jackets with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the loss, while Powell finished with 18 points and Baye Ndongo added 15 and 5 rebounds.

Team Notes

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

• The Cavaliers improved to 12-12 overall, 5-8 ACC
• UVA is 9-5 at home, including a 3-4 mark in ACC contests
• UVA shot 49.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range (11 of 27)
• UVA led 41-36 at halftime
• UVA started 3 of 3 from 3-point range and led 9-0
• Georgia Tech answered with an 8-0 run
• UVA (11 3-pointers) has made six or more 3-pointers in 22 games
• Virginia is 175-12 all-time when scoring 70 or more points since 2009-10 (7-1 in 2024-25)
• UVA won the rebound battle 38-24, improving to 9-1 when outrebounding its opponent

Series Notes

• Virginia is 50-40 all-time vs. Georgia Tech, including a 28-11 mark in Charlottesville, in a series that dates to 1947-48.
• The Cavaliers have a 13-game win streak in the series and 11-game home win streak against the Yellow Jackets
• Virginia is 21-2 in its last 23 games against Georgia Tech

Player Notes

• Double Figure Scorers: Isaac McKneely (20), Dai Dai Ames (18), Andrew Rohde (11)
• McKneely netted his fifth 20-point game (10 career)
• McKneely reached double figures for the 18th time (44 career)
• McKneely has made multiple 3-pointers in 17 games
• Ames reached double figures for the third consecutive game and seventh time this season (15 career)
• Rohde matched a career high with nine assists along with zero turnovers
• Rohde has 25 assists and zero turnovers in his last three games
• Rohde reached double figures for the sixth time (14 career)
• Blake Buchanan had a game-high 11 rebounds
• Elijah Saunders returned to the lineup after missing three games due to injury

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers will have a week off to prepare for next Saturday’s rematch against Virginia Tech (2 p.m., The CW Network) at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.