The Virginia Cavaliers (11-3, 3-1) were defeated in ACC play for the first time this season, losing to the Boston College Eagles for the first time since 2013, 60-53.
After the Hoos won the opening tip-off and Mamadi Diakite drilled a fadeaway jumper to begin the game, Virginia was whistled for four fouls on Boston College’s first offensive possession, two of which were on Diakite, who exited the game and played only five minutes in the first half.
Virginia trailed for the next 30 minutes of game time before briefly taking a 50-45 lead with less than 7 minutes remaining in the game. Integral to the Cavaliers’ comeback were Braxton Key (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Kody Stattmann (11 points, 7 rebounds). Kihei Clark added 12 points but he was continuously bested on the defensive end by Boston College freshman Jay Heath, who recorded 17 points.
Once again, Virginia struggled to shoot throughout the game, managing just 18.8% from three-point range and 32.7% from the floor.
With less than a minute remaining and the game tied at 53, Heath found Jared Hamilton (16 points) on the wing for the go-ahead three pointer with 38 seconds left.
Mamadi Diakite’s three-point attempt to tie the game missed off the right side of the rim and Boston College hit four more free throws to ice the game.
During the last sequence of missed UVA shots, Braxton Key appeared to re-injure his wrist in an effort to grab an offensive rebound. Tony Bennett did not have any updates on Key’s status after the game.
Virginia will look to bounce back when they return to John Paul Jones Arena to host the Syracuse Orange at 4pm on Saturday.
Article recap by Matt Newton
