Virginia sweeps season series against men’s basketball as the Cards fall 71-55

By Jordan Shim–

No. 12 Virginia completed their second consecutive regular season sweep of the No. 4 men’s basketball team in 71-55 Louisville loss Feb. 6.

The Cardinals were shorthanded due to one-game suspensions for Deng Adel and Mangok Mathiang. Quentin Snider and Tony Hicks remained out due to injury.

Louisville began slow, shooting 1-for-8. Donovan Mitchell, averaging 25.3 points in the last three games, went 0-for-4. Pitino adjusted with quick ball movement.

Mitchell finished the half going 3-of-4 with 10 points. VJ King took advantage of Adel’s absence, scoring 12. U of L entered halftime with a 34-32 lead.

After being out-hustled and out-executed by Louisville in the first half, Virginia quickly took a 37-34 lead in the second half. They added to the lead from the free-throw line, going 18-of-20 for the game.

The Cavaliers adjusted to the quick ball movement and limited the Cards to five points midway through the second half. Lack of depth wore Louisville down as Virginia barraged them with 39 second half points.

Mitchell was held to 14 points on 5-for-16 shooting. King, the lone bright spot, scored a career-high 24 points.

Adel, Mathiang and Snider will be back for Louisville’s next game against Miami on Feb. 11. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.