Georgia Tech gave No. 20 Virginia a game for 30 minutes.
That’s as far as the Yellow Jackets could get. Tech became the Cavaliers’ seventh consecutive victim Saturday at McCamish Pavilion, falling 64-45.
The Jackets matched the Cavaliers through the first half and well into the second, getting a big contribution from guard Chris Bolden and strong defensive play from center Daniel Miller. They took a 44-42 lead on Virginia on a transition basket by forward Kammeon Holsey with 9:32 to play.
Virginia, however, closed the game on a 22-1 run, showing the offensive savvy and defensive efficiency that has propelled the Cavaliers to their best start in ACC play since the Ralph Sampson era. Virginia (19-5 overall, 10-1 ACC) was led by guard Malcolm Brogdon from Greater Atlanta Christian, who scored 14 points to go with 11 rebounds. Tech (12-12, 3-8) got 13 points from Bolden, including 3-for-6 shooting from 3-point range. Miller had six blocks, one shy of his career high, and seven rebounds to go with nine points.
Save the final 10 minutes, Virginia did not display the form that had led the Cavaliers to win their last six games and nine of their 10 ACC games. Virginia had come into the game with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.65 in its 10 ACC games and had a 10/10 ratio Saturday.
Forward Robert Carter made his return after a 1-game absence due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. He showed some rust, scoring five points on 2-for-7 shooting with two rebounds in 16 minutes of play. After missing Tech’s last game with a groin injury, guard Trae Golden did not start but played 18 minutes off the bench. He lacked his usual punch and did not score, his first scoreless game of the season.
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