CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -VMI's bid to cap off a remarkable weekend in its basketball program's history fell short Sunday evening as Virginia outlasted VMI 107-97 in another torrid-paced game that Keydet fans have come to expect from the Running Roos.
The Keydets, fresh off their huge upset of college basketball heavyweight Kentucky in Rupp Arena Friday night, trailed 101-97 with :41 left after junior guard Chavis Holmes nailed three consecutive free throws. However, UVA scored the last six points of the ball game converting four free throws and a layup to post the win before 9,955 fans at John Paul Jones Arena.
VMI placed five in double-figures scoring and was led by Chavis Holmes with 31 points which matched a career-high. Twin brother Travis Holmes added 20 points while sophomore guard Austin Kenon chipped in 18 points. Senior forward Willie Bell and freshman guard Keith Gabriel added 14 points. Virginia was led by freshman guard Sylven Landesburg with 28 points and Mike Scott who hit 11 of 13 shots for 26 points while collecting 18 rebounds. Also in double figures for the Cavaliers was Mamadi Diane and Jamil Tucker each with 14 points. Sammy Zeglinski added 11 points.
VMI stayed close by hitting nine three-pointers for the game while going 14 of 15 from the charity stripe, and forcing the Cavaliers into 20 turnovers. However, Virginia outscored VMI 76-48 in the paint and held 50-35 advantage on the boards.
VMI shot 51.3% in the second half and finished the game 46.8% from the floor.
Virginia connected on just three of 16 beyond the arc but it was two key treys during a key second half charge that helped turn the game toward the hosts. After Chavis Holmes converted one of two free throws to cap a 10-2 run and pull VMI even at 82-82 with 6:30 left, UVA guard Jeff Jones hit consecutive treys to propel the Cavs on an 10-2 run and a 92-84 with 4:34 left. But Virginia was unable to stretch the lead in double-digits until the final :09 of regulation as the Keydets kept battling back to stay in contention.
The Keydets trailed by as many as 17 points at the 10:14 mark of the first half but went on a 20-9 spurt over 6:59 to close the gap and trail by six points at halftime.
VMI returns home to play its third game in six games as it entertains Maryland Bible in the home opener at Cameron Hall at 8 p.m.
VMI Head Coach Duggar Baucom - “I thought we weren't ourselves in the first half. We were trying to do our own thing rather than what we are good at. We found some energy at the 11-10 minute mark and we got it down to a workable margin. They only hit three 3-pointers for the game, but two of them were huge. We had a couple of plays where just here and there if it had gone the other way, it would have been different and we could have won by 10. I don't think we were ourselves. Offensively, we had stretches where we were very good and efficient and other stretches where we did too much one-on-one. But the kids competed, but we dug ourselves a big hole and it's always tough to try to work out of that. Offensive rebounding was the story of the game. Mike Scott- we really had no answer for him. It was good to have Chavis Holmes back offensively. He was special. I am disappointed about the game. Normally, some teams go in and play an ACC team to 10 points and they would be satisfied. But the guys in our locker room are not, and I'm not either. Our character will be tested this week to go out and play like we are capable. We have awesome kids and they play hard, but they just have to do it more consistently.”
