White’s Historic Shooting Night Propels Virginia to Convincing 86-73 Victory Over Dayton (12-6-25)
By: Xavier Jones
Headline Photo Credit: Arturo Jones-LMS Network
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a matchup that showcased the blend of gritty defense and explosive offense defining this 2025-26 Virginia Cavaliers squad, Jacari White etched his name into the program’s lore with a flawless performance from the field. The Cavaliers (8-1) dismantled the Dayton Flyers (7-3) 86-73 on Saturday afternoon at Spectrum Center, riding a second-half surge fueled by White’s perfect shooting to secure a marquee non-conference win.
Coming off a dominant 19-point road triumph over Texas earlier in the week, Virginia entered the day ranked No. 14 in the KenPom ratings and eager to build momentum ahead of ACC play. Dayton, a perennial Atlantic 10 contender boasting a 7-2 record, arrived with designs on spoiling the party, leveraging their signature full-court pressure and athleticism. But it was White—a transfer from North Dakota State—who stole the show, draining all seven of his three-point attempts en route to 25 points on 9-of-9 shooting from the field. His streak of 12 consecutive made threes across three games tied the Virginia single-season record set by Kyle Guy in 2019.
The victory wasn’t without its warts for the Hoos. Both teams coughed up the ball 21 times in a game that felt more like a turnover clinic than a polished showcase at times. Dayton capitalized on Virginia’s 12 first-half miscues for eight steals and 12 points, keeping the score knotted in a scrappy opening frame. Yet, when the Cavaliers flipped the switch after—shooting a scorching 65.2% from the floor and 75% from deep—they turned potential chaos into a statement.
A First Half of Momentum Swings and Foul Trouble
The opening 20 minutes unfolded as a battle of attrition, with Dayton’s aggressive trapping defense forcing Virginia into uncharacteristic sloppiness. The Flyers, led by junior forward De’Shayne Montgomery’s explosive athleticism, jumped out to an early edge, using back-to-back dunks on Virginia’s Devin Tillis and freshman Johann Grunloh to ignite a mini-run. Montgomery’s flair even earned him a technical foul for taunting after one thunderous finish. However, Dayton still pocketed the last bucket of the half—a buzzer-beating layup after a Virginia turnover. Grunloh, a highly touted freshman big man, provided a vital spark for the Cavaliers in his limited minutes. The 6-foot-11 newcomer drained a timely three-pointer, tipped a pass for a steal, and converted an and-one on a dump-off from senior Thijs De Ridder, who chipped in seven points before going cold in the second half. De Ridder’s early aggression helped Virginia weather the storm, but the Hoos trailed by as many as five before clawing back to a narrow 37-33 halftime lead.
Shooting efficiencies told a tale of two teams finding their rhythm unevenly: Virginia hit 54.5% from the field but managed just 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. At the same time, Dayton leaned on transition opportunities born from Virginia’s miscues. The double bonus was in effect for both sides early, amplifying the physicality and setting the stage for a second-half explosion.
White’s Perfection Ignites Virginia’s Second-Half Dominance
If the first half was a grind, the second belonged unequivocally to Virginia. The Cavaliers emerged with renewed purpose, emphasizing unselfish ball movement that resulted in 21 team assists overall. White, entered as the first substitute, wasted no time asserting himself. He buried his first three on a curl off a screen, then followed with a catch-and-shoot bomb during an 11-2 spurt that ballooned the lead to double digits. By game’s end, White had added four rebounds and three assists to his scoring line, his efficiency serving as the ultimate deterrent to Dayton’s comeback hopes.
Virginia as a unit mirrored White’s hot hand, connecting on 12 threes overall while finishing at 60% from the field—a mark that would make even the program’s pack-line defense purists nod in approval. Freshman guard Chance Mallory complemented the star turn with 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench, showcasing the depth that has become a hallmark under first-year head coach Ryan Odom. Tillis, returning from a nagging injury, added eight points in his first extended action of the season, while Kentucky transfer Ugonna Onyenso contributed another eight, including a pair of emphatic dunks that underscored Virginia’s interior presence.
Dayton refused to fade quietly. The Flyers responded to Virginia’s surge with a blistering 14-0 run in under three minutes late in the contest, trimming the deficit to 74-67 on Montgomery’s drives and timely jumpers from the perimeter. But White answered with yet another dagger three, and the Cavaliers closed with composure, outscoring Dayton 12-6 in the final stretch to seal the deal.
Key Stats and Standout Performances
• Jacari White (UVA): 25 PTS (9-9 FG, 7-7 3PT), 4 REB, 3 AST — A night of perfection that highlighted his emergence as one of the nation’s premier shooters.
• Chance Mallory (UVA): 12 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST — Efficient bench scoring kept the offense humming.
• De’Shayne Montgomery (DAY): Led Dayton with double-digit scoring, including highlight-reel dunks that fueled their best moments.
Virginia’s bench outscored Dayton’s by a wide margin, with White, Mallory, Tillis, and Onyenso combining for 53 points—a testament to the Hoos’ rotation depth that could prove invaluable in the grueling ACC slate.
Analysis: A Complete Team Poised for March
This win elevates Virginia’s profile as a legitimate national contender. Offensively, Odom’s system has unlocked a gear unseen in the Tony Bennett era, averaging 87.6 points per game while holding foes to 67.8—a balance that screams high NCAA Tournament seed potential. The bigs—Grunloh, De Ridder, and Onyenso—form an elite front court trio capable of rim protection and switch ability, while the perimeter weapons like White and Mallory provide spacing that stretches defenses thin. Yet, the 21 turnovers serve as a red flag. Dayton’s varied looks—full-court presses, inbound traps, and help rotations—exposed vulnerabilities that sharper opponents like Duke or North Carolina could exploit. Still, the Cavaliers’ ability to overcome sloppiness with superior talent and execution bodes well for their growth.
For Dayton, the loss stings but doesn’t derail a promising campaign. Their fightback spirit and Montgomery’s upside keep them squarely in the bubble conversation, though improving ball security will be key against elite defenses.
As Virginia heads into exam break with an 8-1 mark, all eyes turn to White’s scorching hand and a roster blending transfers, freshmen, and veterans into a cohesive unit. If they clean up the giveaways, the ACC—and beyond—should brace for impact.
