Season's first court-storming goes down in DC (so does No. 6 Virginia)
WASHINGTON
Virginia coach Tony Bennett knew his sixth-ranked Cavaliers would have a tough time with George Washington.
The Colonials are a veteran team, their building was loud and the weather outside was unseasonably warm for mid-November, making it uncomfortable for players on the court.
After the Cavaliers' 73-68 loss Monday night, Bennett wouldn't hear of any excuses.
"We can't (say), `We were just off, it wasn't our game.' It wasn't that. We got outplayed. We got out-executed," Bennett said.
"Sometimes you forget how hard it is, and these settings remind you awfully quick."
The Colonials' on-campus arena, The Smith Center, was sold out. After their win, some fans stormed the court, but didn't get in the way of the departing Virginia players.
George Washington (2-0) took control with a 10-0 run that began with Patricio Garino's three-point play for a 57-55 lead with 8:06 left. Garino added a tip-in and an assist on Tyler Cavanaugh's layup. Cavanaugh hit two free throws to make it 64-55 with 5:24 remaining.
Garino and Cavanaugh led the Colonials with 18 points apiece.
Virginia (1-1) was led by Malcolm Brogdon, who had a career-high 28 points and eight rebounds.
"I look at it as a learning experience. I think we had uncharacteristic breakdowns that we usually don't have. I think it's a combination of us not communicating and taking the foot off the gas in the second half," Brogdon said.
BROGDON GOES ON A RUN
Brogdon was nearly the only offensive threat for Virginia in the second half, scoring 20 of his 28 points after halftime. At one point, he had 11 straight for the Cavs. "He was a little out of sorts early. I like how he responded in the second half when we needed him to," Bennett said.
HOT STUFF
Bennett came to his postgame news conference in sweats instead of a suit.
"What a college basketball atmosphere. I usually have my suit on. I sweated through that thing. I was very impressed with that atmosphere. We knew it would be that," Bennett said.
WHERE WILL UVA BE RANKED?
According to George Washington coach Mike Lonergan, the Cavaliers shouldn't be harmed by this loss.
"That loss shouldn't hurt them if we do what we're supposed to do this year. You have to take advantage of those opportunities. You don't get them very often. I wish Maryland would play us and Georgetown would play us," Lonergan said.
Virginia forward Anthony Gill agreed.
"You need these going into later in the season. You need games like this, in this kind of environment. George Washington is a really good team. It helps us down the line. It hurts right now, of course. In the long run, it really helps us," Gill said.
BENNETT CRITICAL
Bennett was critical of his team.
"We lacked the discipline required, and that was the message after. First comes discipline, then comes freedom after that," Bennett said.
"We were out of sync and did not play particularly well."
TIP-INS
Virginia: Last lost to GW on Jan. 19, 1974. Hadn't faced the Colonials in Washington since 1983. ... Virginia is 18-6 in road games over the last two seasons.
George Washington: Hadn't faced a Top 10 opponent on its home court since March 4, 2000, when the Colonials lost to No. 5 Temple. They had lost eight straight such games, and their last win over a ranked team at home came on Jan. 14, 1998, against Xavier.
UP NEXT
Virginia: Hosts Bradley on Thursday.
George Washington; Visits South Florida on Thursday.
