The Sports Xchange
Dec 19, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. -- Ty Jerome scored a career-high 17 points to lead No. 13 Virginia to a 78-47 drubbing of Savannah State on Tuesday night at John Paul Jones Arena.
Jerome's 17 points came after he totaled just 14 in his previous three games combined.
The Tigers were outmatched from the time they stepped off of the bus and went almost nine minutes in the second half without a point against the vaunted Virginia (10-1) defense.
Virginia shot 50 percent for the game and used a 19-0 run to seize control of the game after Savannah State (3-11) used a modest 6-0 spurt to open up the second half. It is the seventh time this season that the Cavaliers have shot at least 50 percent from the field. Forward Mamadi Diakite and center Jack Salt scored 10 points apiece for the Cavaliers.
Savannah State shot just 28 percent but got 22 points from forward John Grant, as all seven of his makes came from beyond the arc. The Tigers made 11 of their 37 three-point attempts.
Virginia scored the first 12 points of the game before galloping out to a 21-4 advantage midway through the first half. The Cavaliers led 42-21 at the halftime break after shooting 52 percent during the first 20 minutes of play.
Virginia will host Hampton on Friday night while Savannah State will continue a seven-game road trip against Michigan State on December 31st.
NOTES: Virginia averages the fewest possessions in the country (60.9) while Savannah St. ranks first in the country (84.4). ... Savannah St. has allowed 100+ points in eight games this season. ... Virginia has shot 50 percent or better in seven games this season... This marks the first ever meeting between the two schools. Virginia is now 102-6 when scoring at least 70 points under head coach Tony Bennett.