The sixth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers relied on the veteran experience of their core players to secure an 87-83 victory over Maryland on Friday night.
After falling into an 11-point halftime deficit, the Cavaliers utilized a seasoned rotation to mount a comeback during their first road test of the season, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.
Coach Ryan Odom noted that his team was forced to adjust its intensity to succeed in the hostile environment.
Senior Sam Lewis led the offensive effort for the Cavaliers, recording a career-high 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting.
Lewis proved particularly efficient in the second half, connecting on eight of his nine field goal attempts after the break, as documented by Associated Press coverage.
The victory moved Virginia to a 5-0 start on the season while continuing a trend of success against their former Atlantic Coast Conference rivals.
Odom attributed the turnaround to the maturity of his roster, which includes four returning players who logged significant minutes.
Unlike last season, when the coaching staff distributed playing time evenly across a nine-man rotation, the current approach focuses on a core group of starters.
“These guys have been in some battles,” Odom explained regarding his strategy.
Thijs De Ridder, who contributed 20 points, emphasized the importance of team communication during the comeback effort.
De Ridder noted that the players remained composed despite the double-digit deficit, stating that they were “just talking constantly, communicating.”
Maryland coach Buzz Williams praised the atmosphere in College Park, describing the crowd as the best he has seen during his tenure.
The Cavaliers now look to maintain their momentum as they navigate the remainder of their non-conference schedule.
Odom indicated that while he plans to develop his bench players eventually, he will continue to lean on his experienced starters in tight games to ensure consistent performance, the outlets reported.