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Panthers struggle against Cavaliers

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Sophomore Dai Dai Ames scored a career-high 27 points and Virginia cruised to a 73-57 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday night.

Ames, who entered play averaging 6.2 points per game, made 11 of 16 shots with three 3-pointers and both of his free throws for the Cavaliers (11-12, 4-8 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Blake Buchanan totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double this season for Virginia. Andrew Rohde finished with nine points and a career-best nine assists. Rohde also had three of the Cavaliers’ 10 3-pointers.

Ishmael Leggett had 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting to lead the Panthers (14-8, 5-6), adding six rebounds. Jorge Diaz Grahm scored nine off the bench with three 3-pointers.

Ishan Sharma made Virginia’s fourth 3-pointer in the opening 13 minutes, while Pitt was 3 of 12 overall, to help build a 24-7 lead. The Cavaliers scored 17 straight points in the first half — their longest run of the season.

Ames rattled in a jumper from the free-throw line to extend Virginia’s lead to 30-10 with 4:46 left in the half. Ames made seven shots and scored 16 of Virginia’s 34 first-half points, while Pitt had just 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting. It was Pitt’s lowest scoring first half of the season.

The Panthers won the previous two matchups with Virginia following an eight-game losing streak.

Virginia returns home to play Georgia Tech on Saturday, when Pittsburgh plays at North Carolina.

VIRGINIA (11-12): Buchanan 4-7 2-4 10, Cofie 1-2 0-0 2, Ames 11-16 2-2 27, McKneely 3-11 0-0 8, Rohde 3-6 0-0 9, Murray 2-2 0-0 5, Robinson 3-4 3-5 9, Sharma 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 28-50 7-11 73.

PITTSBURGH (14-8): Austin 2-7 0-0 5, Corhen 1-2 3-4 5, Dunn 1-4 2-2 5, Leggett 7-11 2-4 17, Lowe 3-9 1-2 7, J. Diaz Graham 3-7 0-0 9, Amadou Kante 1-2 2-3 4, G. Diaz Graham 0-1 2-3 2, Cummings 0-0 3-3 3, Delalic 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-43 15-21 57.

Halftime–Virginia 34-19. 3-Point Goals–Virginia 10-22 (Rohde 3-5, Ames 3-6, McKneely 2-8, Murray 1-1, Sharma 1-2), Pittsburgh 6-20 (J.Diaz Graham 3-6, Dunn 1-3, Leggett 1-3, Austin 1-5, G.Diaz Graham 0-1, Lowe 0-2). Rebounds–Virginia 32 (Buchanan 11), Pittsburgh 19 (Leggett 6). Assists–Virginia 20 (Rohde 9), Pittsburgh 5 (Lowe 4). Total Fouls–Virginia 17, Pittsburgh 11.

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