Tony Bennett discusses Virginia Cavaliers' win over North Carolina: "We were gritty defensively"

Tuesday's game between North Carolina and Virginia in Charlottesville was full of ups and downs. But both teams could walk away with encouraging signs.

Tony Bennett was impressed with how UVA adjusted in the second half after Armando Bacot, UNC's leading scorer and rebounder, injured his ankle a little more than a minute into the game. Freshman Jalen Washington replaced Bacot and scored 12 points in the first half, but just one in the second half.

Ben Vander Plas, who had a game-high 17 points off the bench, and the No. 13 Cavaliers (12-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) were impressive defensively, leading to a 65-58 victory. UVA finished with nine steals and eight blocks.

"We were gritty defensively," Bennett said.

Virginia averages a league-low 59.6 points per game, and Tuesday night was no different. North Carolina (11-6, 3-3) shot 39.6% and had times when it was able to depend on R.J. Davis and Washington during the first 30 minutes to stay afloat.

The Cavaliers then went on a 17-2 run to take control, gaining the lead and never giving it back.

"I really felt like the thing that really hurt us was one-on-one dribble drives to the basket," UNC coach Hubert Davis said. "(Vander Plas) played a huge part in the second half."

Reese Beekman finished with 13 points, five assists and five steals. He was key during the Cavaliers' decisive run.

When asked about Beekman's drives that collapsed the defense, Bennett said:

"Games kind of ebb and flow, and certain things work offensively or gets you good looks, some things don't look so good. We were struggling really just to shoot the ball and score in that first half and parts of the second. And then we said, 'Let's go small and take a look at a few things,' and I think it just started opening up things."

UNC may have discovered second big man in Jalen Washington

After Bacot, the ACC's best big man and its preseason player of the year, rolled his ankle 1:18 into the game against a stifling Virginia defense, UNC appeared to be in trouble. Then a 6-foot-10 freshman wearing a white Jordan headband entered.

Washington, who was averaging 2.2 points per game, had been nursing a knee injury that occurred late in his senior year. It was a long 18 months before he debuted against Georgia Tech on Dec. 10. So, his 12 points in the first half from midrange, finishing through contact, and defensive abilities threw the Cavs off their game.

North Carolina also brought in Northwestern transfer Pete Nance, who has been dealing with injuries throughout the season.

"I thought he played fantastic," Davis said of Washington. "To be a freshman on the road, to get extended minutes. I was very pleased with him and very proud of him."

UVA's win was the Cavaliers' eighth straight over the Tar Heels at the John Paul Arena. The teams will face off again on Feb. 25 at the Dean Dome.