11/04/2026 09:19:00
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11/04 09:17 CST No. 9 Virginia handles Drexel in season opener
No. 9 Virginia handles Drexel in season opener
By MIKE BARBER
Associated Press
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) --- Thijs De Ridder had 24 points and had nine
rebounds, Sam Lewis added 20 points, and No. 9 Virginia beat Drexel 89-60 on
Tuesday night in the season opener for both squads.
Johann Grunloh added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who went 10
for 29 from 3-point range. Lewis hit four of those 3-pointers. Virginia, which
has early season tests against Arkansas (Sunday) and Maryland (Nov. 13)
looming, went 15 for 19 at the free-throw line.
The Cavaliers committed 14 turnovers, including six by point guard Chance
Mallory.
Latief Lorenzano-White and reserve Ladricus Pittman led Drexel with 11 points.
Dillon Tingler scored 10 off the bench.
De Ridder scored 12 points in the first 2:22 of the game. Virginia jumped to a
25-4 lead and went to the locker room ahead 51-27 at the half.
But the damage had been done in the opening minutes of this game.
The Cavaliers returned four key players from last season's 30-win, NCAA
tournament squad, bringing high expectations for Ryan Odom's second team at
Virginia. That foursome of De Ridder, Grunloh, Lewis and Mallory were joined in
the starting lineup by German import Nolan Adekunle for Tuesday's opener. Those
four returners scored Virginia's first 37 points Tuesday.
Up next
Drexel: Hosts Colgate on Saturday.
Virginia: Hosts Northeastern on Friday.
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This story has been corrected to show Virginia's nickname is the Cavaliers, not
Commodores, in the third paragraph.
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