#7 Virginia Holds On To Victory 57-55 Over Notre Dame (2-18-23)
By: Darrell Owens
Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network
CHARLOTTESVILLE-The #7 team in the country, the Virginia Cavaliers (20-4) took on the Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish (10-16) at John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers came into this game with a 10-2 record in 2023. Virginia was hoping to solidify their position in the ACC Tournament as well as the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers are at the top of the ACC and If the NCAA tournament started today Virginia would more likely be a #2 or #3 seed. After today, Virginia would inch closer to locking in the tournament positions.
Virginia would go on to win a close battle over Notre Dame 57-55 for their 21st win of the year. Virginia is now 17-3 all-time vs. Notre Dame, including a 12-1 ACC regular-season record, in a series that dates to 1980-81. Kihei Clark led the Cavs with 15 points while dishing out four assists. Clark passed Virginia legend John Crotty as the school’s all-time assist leader with 685. Clark also made his school record 133rd start, passing London Perrantes. Armaan Franklin (12 points), Reece Beekman (11 points), Ben Vander Plas (8 points) and Jaylin Gardner (8 points & 12 rebounds) help push the Cavs to a win.
Virginia (21-4, 13-3 ACC) will hit the road for the next two games against Boston College (Feb 22) and North Carolina (Feb 25). Then UVA will finish the regular season with two home games against Clemson (Feb 28) and Louisville (Mar 4).
