Everything was working for UVA’s offense against Eagles Wednesday

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Braxton Key waits out a block attempt by BC’s Steffon Mitchell before sinking a second-half layup (Photo by John Markon).

Everything seemed to come together for Virginia on Wednesday night when the Cavaliers clicked on all cylinders offensively in a 78-65 win over visiting Boston College.

UVA, which has won six of its last seven games, scored a season-high 78 points, had all five starters score in double figures, and actually scored 43 points in the second half.

Get a load of this — the Cavaliers, once one of the worst shooting teams in UVA history and one of the worst shooting teams among the 353 Division-I schools this season, scorched the nets by knocking down 57.8 percent of their shots (26 of 45) against BC, and 10 of 17 shots from behind the arc (58.8 percent).

A team that once couldn’t throw a beach ball in the ocean if it was standing on the shore couldn’t hardly miss Wednesday.

On one occasion, 7-foot forward Jay Huff went up for what he thought was an alley-oop pass from point guard Kihei Clark. The only problem was that Clark’s pass went through the basket, leaving Huff somewhat puzzled if he dunked it or if the shot went in.

“They shot the ball extremely well,” BC coach Jim Christian said of the ‘Hoos. “Huff hit a three in the first half and was I think 3 for 5. When they’re in a good rhythm offensively, it’s hard.”

Indeed.

UVA pulled away for a 35-23 lead at the break, then separated even more down the stretch in the second half, up by 20 with 5:22 to play before the Eagles made a late run.

When it was over and the Cavaliers won their third straight game, Tony Bennett was impressed with his team’s offense, but not so much with the defense, mostly because BC shot 56 percent in the second half.

“The emergence of Tomas [Woldetensae] shooting the ball, the efficiency of Mamadi [Diakite] and Jay [Huff] shot it well today,” Bennett said. “That certainly helped. I do think we are trying to run good stuff and we are a little smoother and more efficient with it, but it certainly makes a big difference when you make some threes.”

That’s exactly what Virginia has been doing of late, particularly Woldetensae, who had been hot in his last three road games but not so much at John Paul Jones Arena. Woldetensae finally heated up at home, making 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, while Huff was 3 of 5 as Christian bemoaned, and Kody Stattmann, who had been mired in a shooting slump, was 2 of 3. Kihei Clark added one … even though Huff still isn’t sure if that was a shot or a pass.

Good shooting makes up for a lot of other issues on a basketball team.

“We were more efficient, more guys scoring, and I think there is a comfort level in the last few games that has showed, even against Louisville (in a road loss, UVA’s lone setback in its last seven games),” Bennett said.

Braxton Key, who has struggled with consistency of late, had his best game in a while with 17 points, hitting 6 of 7 shots from the floor and making 5 of 8 free throws. Key was more aggressive in attacking the basket and benefited from some nifty Clark passes inside the paint for layups.

It was the first time Virginia had five players finish in double figures this season as the Cavaliers improved to 18-7 overall and 10-5 in the ACC. UVA has a two-game lead over NC State for fourth place in the conference as the Wolfpack obliterated league-leading Duke, while Syracuse slipped three games back after its loss at Louisville.

The top four teams in the conference gain double-byes in next month’s ACC Tournament in Greensboro. Virginia is fighting for its life for a bid to the NCAA Tournament, so every win is precious at this point.

With other players scoring, as Bennett noted, opposing defenses can’t stack the deck on Woldetensae, who has been on fire from the 3-point line.

“[Defenses] have to be a little more aware — exterior and interior — and that makes a big difference for opportunities and I think he is letting it come,” Bennett said.

Christian was not only impressed with scouting Woldetensae on film, but with what he saw up close and personal.

“He moves so well,” said the Eagles’ coach. “Woldetensae is such a good cutter and they hit him at the right time. You can tell they’re looking for him and he puts a lot of pressure on because you’re chasing and the bigs have to help a little extra, and then they get you caught on the inside. When Huff’s hitting threes, that’s a different weapon.”

Virginia now moves on to back-to-back road games this week, at Pitt on Saturday, then at Virginia Tech next Wednesday.