The Belmont Bruins had never won an NCAA Tournament game in their school’s history coming into the game against the Virginia Cavaliers, but today they gave the two-seeded Cavaliers all they wanted. With 4:36 remaining in the second half Belmont’s Craig Bradshaw knocked down a three-pointer to cut Virginia’s lead to two, 62-60. The ACC regular season champs would rally to defeat Belmont 79-67, but it was a close affair for most of the game.

Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon led the way as he scored 22 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Brogdon also knocked down four three-pointers, all six of his free throws, and grabbed five rebounds. Forward Anthony Gill was attacking in the paint all night as he scored 16 points, eight of which came from the free throw line. Darion Atkins added 10 points and seven rebounds, six of which came on the offensive glass, and Justin Anderson came off the bench to score 15 points. Anderson is working his way back from a broken finger and an appendectomy, today was his best game since returning.

Belmont came into this game with zero fear and offensively was able to get open looks. Craig Bradshaw was phenomenal in this game as he scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Bradshaw shot 10-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc. Evan Bradds was the only other double-figure scorer for the Bruins as he added 10 points and six rebounds. Reece Chamberlain scored six points, dished out four assists, and recorded three steals. Former Cavalier Taylor Barnette finished with seven points on 1-of-7 shooting.

This wasn’t one of Virginia’s better defensive games as they allowed Belmont to shoot 47.4 percent from the field, and make eight three-pointers. However, when the game came down the stretch the Cavaliers clamped down and suffocated the Bruin offense. In the remaining four minutes of the game Virginia went on a 17-7 run.

Virginia’s offense was pretty steady all day as they shot 45.6 percent from the field, and they knocked down 84 percent of their free throws (21-of-25). They made their free throws and they outrebounded Belmont 35-to-29, including 11 on the offensive glass. When you make free throws, rebound, and only turn the ball over seven times that is a good recipe for success.

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett on the game, “I knew we were going to have to make some plays, get some stops and make some free throws. But you are never comfortable when you play a team like that that has big-play ability.”

The Virginia Cavaliers will play the Michigan State Spartans Sunday with an opportunity to reach the Sweet 16. Last season the Cavaliers faced the Spartans in the Sweet 16 and lost, 61-59.