Did Virginia Cavaliers' Bench Power Overcome SMU Mustangs at Moody Coliseum?

The Virginia Cavaliers, ranked 16th, secured a victory over the SMU Mustangs with a final score of 72-68. This win improved the Cavaliers' record to 15-3, while the Mustangs fell to 10-8. The game took place at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, where an attendance of 6,630 fans witnessed an intense matchup.

First Half

In the first half, both teams displayed strong offensive performances. The Hoos managed to take a slight edge by scoring 40 points compared to the Ponies' 37. Malik Thomas was instrumental for UVA during this period, contributing significantly with his shooting accuracy and rebounding prowess. His efforts were complemented by Thijs De Ridder's consistent scoring and presence on the court.

Second Half

The second half saw several lead changes and ties as both teams battled for dominance. The Cavaliers maintained their composure despite facing pressure from SMU's defense. Dallin Hall played a crucial role in orchestrating plays and distributing assists effectively throughout this period.

A pivotal moment came when UVA's bench players stepped up their game; they collectively contributed an impressive total of 26 points off the bench—a factor that proved decisive against SMU’s less productive reserves who added only 13 points.

Virginia Cavaliers vs SMU Mustangs Turning Point

One key turning point was when Johann Grunloh made critical defensive stops alongside Ugonna Onyenso’s shot-blocking ability which helped limit opportunities for easy baskets by opponents inside paint areas—ultimately shifting momentum towards UVA favorably late into contest duration itself!

Final Moments

As time dwindled down towards conclusion stages within regulation playtime frame itself - it became evident how much impact those earlier contributions had made overall difference between these two squads competing fiercely against each other until very end indeed!

For fans eagerly anticipating more action from their beloved team: mark your calendars now because next up will be another exciting encounter scheduled January twenty-fourth at John Paul Jones Arena located Charlottesville Virginia where they'll face North Carolina Tar Heels broadcast live via ESPN network starting promptly two PM Eastern Standard Time zone accordingly so don't miss out watching them compete once again soon enough surely!

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