WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA, (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Despite a team-high 24 points from guard Malik Thomas, Virginia fell to Butler 80-73 in the second game of the Greenbrier Tipoff on Sunday, the Cavaliers’ first loss of the season and first under new coach Ryan Odom.
Similarly to their first game against the Wildcats on Friday, the game with the Bulldogs was highly competitive throughout. Butler jumped on UVA right out of the gate and after a few lead changes, the first half ended with the Hoos trailing 44-42. In the second half it was more of the same, a back and forth contest against some of the best competition Virginia has faced this year with a Big East opponent. For the Bulldogs, they were led by guard Finley Bizjack, who scored a game high 25 points along with 17 points from forward Michael Ajayi. Butler shot 40% from the three point line and finished 20-29 from the line as they took control down the stretch in the second half. For Virginia, This De Ridder was held to 10 points, while the Hoos got contributions of 14 points and 11 points from Jacari White and Chance Mallory respectively. The loss drops the Hoos to 5-1 on the young season and afterwards Ryan Odom shared the following thoughts.
“They answered every challenge that our guys gave them throughout the game,” Odom said in the postgame press conference.
Midway through the second half, Ryan Odom was assessed a technical after questioning a non foul call that went against UVA. The Bulldogs made both free throws to push the lead to seven points, and Virginia did not get any closer than four the rest of the second half.
Odom addressed the technical as well in the post game. “My technical certainly hurt our team, which I’m sorry for,” Odom said. “Unacceptable for me to do that at that given time. These guys know that and understand how important it is to keep your poise and your composure in a hard-fought game. But again, it goes back to Butler and it being their day.”
Virginia returns to action on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Queens University at JPJ. Coverage on WINA begins at 3 p.m.
