Virginia Rallies Past Wright State To Secure First NCAA Tournament Win Since 2019

Yesterday in Philadelphia, Virginia defeated No. 14 seed Wright State by a final score of 82-73 to secure a spot in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory was the first March Madness for the Cavaliers since the 2019 national championship campaign, but it was not easy.

First Half: Wright State Takes the Lead

Wright State came out with intensity, catching Virginia off guard with sharp perimeter shooting and a fast-paced approach. The Raiders were efficient on offense and forced the Cavaliers into turnovers.

Their rough play translated them to a 43-38 lead at halftime. The offense was directed by Solomon Callaghan. He scored 16 points in the first half, piercing through the defense of Virginia.

Although the first half was rough, Virginia was not too far away with the help of Jacari White. He gave UVA a much-needed scoring boost that helped to make the deficit manageable.

Second Half: Cavalries Take Over

Virginia made some adjustments in the second half; they specifically worked hard on defense. The Cavaliers started to develop pressure on their opponent to disrupt their offensive rhythm. The tide was slowly going in their favor. There were approximately five minutes to go, and the game was not yet decided. 

Virginia delivered the decisive blow with a 15–3 run that essentially sealed the outcome. Dominating boards was another claim that the Cavaliers made, as they ended the game with a +15 rebounding margin, leaving the school with only one-shot possessions. Virginia allowed the Raiders to score only 30 points in the second half.

Jacari White Leads the Way

Jacari White had a masterful performance. He finished with a game-high 26 points in an efficient performance. He made 10-of-12 shots from the field and 6-of-8 three-point shots. This helped Virginia complete the comeback.

Important Contributions

Sam Lewis had 12 points, with key baskets in the second half of the Virginia run. Malik Thomas had 11 points and played a major role on the defensive side, assisting to contain the guards of Wright State in the dying moments.

The front court of the Virginia team might not have been the scoring machine, but its contribution was quite noticeable on the glass. The Cavaliers prevailed in the rebounding battle 39 24, which was also a crucial factor to deny the Raiders a second chance.

Conclusion

All the adjustments in the second half, combined with Virginia’s resilience, helped them win. After a very poor start, the Cavaliers tightened their defensive discipline and dominance in rebounds.

The outstanding performance of White helped to win the game. The win is not only the end of their NCAA Tournament drought but also gives them momentum heading into the next round.