Thijs De Ridder had a double-double and all five starters scored in double figures for No. 9 Virginia in a 91-72 victory against No. 12 Arkansas at the Capital Showcase on Sunday in Washington.
The Cavaliers (3-0) collected their first marquee win of the campaign after going 1-4 against ranked opponents last season. They sank 12 3-pointers, grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and compiled a 24-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
De Ridder delivered 16 points and 10 rebounds and Sam Lewis scored 16 points. Johann Grunloh had 15 points and five blocks. Chance Mallory added 15 and six assists and Nolan Adekunle scored 13.
Playing in his hometown, Jordan Smith Jr. led the Razorbacks (1-1) with 19 points and four steals. Miikka Muurinen scored 12 points and Jeremiah Wilkinson and Billy Richmond III each had 11. Abdou Toure chipped in 10 off the bench.
Down by 22 early in the second half, Arkansas pulled within 51-35 on Muurinen’s 3-pointer with 16:55 to play.
Virginia answered with two free throws by Grunloh and Elijah Gertrude’s 3-pointer for a 56-35 cushion.
Consecutive 3-pointers by Lewis gave the Cavaliers their largest lead of the game at 74-47 with 9:34 remaining.
Virginia shot 37.5% (12 of 32) from 3-point range and committed only nine turnovers. Arkansas shot 36.8% (7 of 19) from downtown.
De Ridder went to the bench after picking up two fouls in the first 1:43. When he returned, his 3-pointer sparked a 15-3 run that put Virginia up 27-16 with 6:57 remaining until halftime.
The Cavaliers finished the first half with an 11-2 run to build a 46-27 lead at the break.
The Razorbacks also had early foul trouble. Muurinen only played three minutes in the first half and Wilkinson, who scored 23 in the season-opening win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, was scoreless at halftime.
