For a team that led the ACC in defense, allowing only 61.0 points per game, the Virginia Cavaliers team that showed up at Comcast tonight looked nothing like the Defense-First team that Tony Bennett had been building all season. The Hoos fell 85-66 to a Maryland squad that looked like it desperately wanted to be atop the ACC again.
Virginia allowed its most points the first half, giving up 52 while only putting up 34 at halftime. The previous high was 39 against Georgia Tech, a game Virginia went on to win. During that first half, Maryland shot 70% (21 for 30) from the floor, and the Hoos were simply unable to recover.
Greivis Vasquez scored 25 of his 30 points during that first half.
Jeff Jones seemed to have a bit of a break-out night, joining Mike Scott in leading the team with 16 points on the evening. Sylven Landesberg was held to only 12 points. Sammy Zeglinski started, but was not able to make a single bucket all night, following his late-season trend thus far.
Virginia was also out-rebounded 42-28. Scott led the effort at 6 rebounds. Virginia was also held to an abysmal 12.5% from beyond the arc, while Maryland was shooting 50%.
Maryland improves to 17-7, 7-3 ACC.
Virginia, 14-9, 5-5 ACC, has lost three straight now, and five of the past seven. This was the second of four games over eight days, 3 of which are on the road. Virginia is in an absolute must-win situation against Florida State at home on Wednesday if the Hoos hope to have a postseason appearance.
