Virginia continued its strong start to the season with a 91-72 win over Arkansas on Sunday, showcasing a balanced offense that featured five players in double figures. The Cavaliers, playing their first game in Washington, built a 46-27 halftime lead and stretched the margin to as many as 27 points in the second half.
Key performances
Thijs De Ridder led the way with 16 points, while Sam Lewis matched his effort with another 16. Johann Grunloh and Chance Mallory each contributed 15 points, and Nolan Adekunle added 13. Arkansas’ top scorer was Jordan Smith Jr., who posted 19 points despite the team’s struggles.
Game flow
Virginia jumped out to an early 15-5 run, establishing a 32-20 advantage. A series of back-to-back dunks by Grunloh and Lewis pushed the lead to 43-25, and a three‑pointer from Mallory extended the gap to 19 points before halftime.
The second half saw Virginia maintain control, with the Razorbacks unable to close the gap. A quirky moment occurred when a pair of birds briefly landed on the court before being shooed away by players.
Notable notes
Both rosters featured six players listed at seven feet or taller, none of whom are from the United States. Grunloh, a German native, made a significant impact for Virginia, while Nigeria’s Favour Ibe also recorded a dunk. For Arkansas, Finland’s Miikka Muurinen tallied 12 points, including a powerful dunk, while Australia’s Maper Maker played over half the game without scoring.
Upcoming games
Arkansas will host Robert Morris on Wednesday night, while Virginia looks to continue its winning ways against Bucknell on Tuesday night.
Original reporting: 40/29 News KHBS Fort Smith (local) — read the source article.
