No. 4 Virginia tops Middle Tennessee in Bahamas
Key makes extra effort for and-1 after falling down
Braxton Key misses his initial attempt, but refuses to give up on the play, recovering the loose ball and muscling home an and-1 after being knocked to the floor.
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- De'Andre Hunter was everywhere for fourth-ranked Virginia, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists.
"I thought De'Andre's completeness showed offensively and defensively," Virginia coach Tony Bennett said.
The 6-7 sophomore's size and athleticism caused problems for the Blue Raiders on the perimeter.
"We really spaced the floor (against) the 1-3-1 press," Hunter said. "And I was just looking for my shot when the guys kicked it to me in the corner."
Kyle Guy also scored 15 points for the Cavaliers (4-0), who led 9-0 and 30-9. But they needed Guy's 3-pointer to start a 9-0 run after the Blue Raiders had clawed to within 38-30 early in the second half.
Antonio Green scored 11 points to lead Middle Tennessee (3-2), which shot 39 percent.
The Cavaliers advanced to Thursday's semifinals to face Dayton, while the Blue Raiders will face Butler in the consolation bracket.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Keith Kimble
- Chance Moore
- Trey Styons
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |
2023-24 Atlantic Coast Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
North Carolina | 17-3 | - | 29-8 |
Duke | 15-5 | 2 | 27-9 |
Virginia | 13-7 | 4 | 23-11 |
Pittsburgh | 12-8 | 5 | 22-11 |
Clemson | 11-9 | 6 | 24-12 |
Syracuse | 11-9 | 6 | 20-12 |
Wake Forest | 11-9 | 6 | 21-14 |
Virginia Tech | 10-10 | 7 | 19-15 |
Florida State | 10-10 | 7 | 17-16 |
NC State | 9-11 | 8 | 26-15 |
Boston College | 8-12 | 9 | 20-16 |
Georgia Tech | 7-13 | 10 | 14-18 |
Notre Dame | 7-13 | 10 | 13-20 |
Miami | 6-14 | 11 | 15-17 |
Louisville | 3-17 | 14 | 8-24 |