In a thrilling clash on January 3, 2023, the Virginia Cavaliers faced off against the NC State Wolfpack at John Paul Jones Arena, resulting in a decisive 78-66 victory for Virginia. The game saw a strong performance from Virginia’s senior guard Kihei Clark, who led the Cavaliers with 20 points, contributing significantly to their offensive efforts.
The first half showcased Virginia’s tactical prowess as they took an early lead, ending the half at 42-31. However, it was NC State’s disastrous second half that shifted the momentum. The Wolfpack managed to fall behind after a sequence of turnovers and missed opportunities, leading to a mere 34-point second half performance.
NC State coach Kevin Keatts expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, stating, “We didn’t execute well enough to win, especially in the second half. We need to clean up our mistakes if we want to compete at this level.”
Virginia’s defense proved to be a stronghold, stifling NC State’s attempts to make a comeback. The Wolfpack’s Terquavion Smith contributed 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep them in contention. The Cavaliers’ bench also played a crucial role, with Armaan Franklin adding 16 points, showcasing their deep rotation.
With this win, Virginia improves their record to 11-3, while NC State drops to 10-4. The Cavaliers are now looking forward to upcoming matchups, hoping to build on this momentum. Their next challenge will be against a tough opponent, as they seek to solidify their position in the ACC standings.
