Freshmen lead No. 18 Virginia in rout of Monmouth, 89-42

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Freshman Isaac McKneely scored 15 points, classmate Ryan Dunn had 13 and No. 18 Virginia closed the first half on a 32-8 run and beat Monmouth 89-42 on Friday night.

The Cavaliers (2-0) added a 21-2 burst in the second half, never allowing the Hawks to even entertain the idea of making a game of it after trailing 42-21 at halftime.

Myles Foster led the Hawks (0-2) with 10 points, but they all came in the first 11 minutes before he was saddled with foul trouble. Myles Ruth added eight points.

Virginia trailed 13-10 before McKneely tied it at the 13-minute mark with his first of his four 3-pointers. The Hawks made their last field goal of the opening half on a left-handed hook by Foster with 10:28 to play and were outscored 23-4 the rest of the way.

The Cavaliers got 3-pointers from seven different players — they were 13 for 25 from beyond the arc — and scoring from 10 players. When Reece Beekman made the Cavaliers' 11th 3-pointer with 9:48 to play, the Hawks had just 12 field goals.

The Hawks, first-year members of the Colonial Athletic Association, shot 39% overall, made just three of 11 from 3-point range and were outscored 48-42 by Virginia reserves.

BIG PICTURE

Monmouth: The Hawks lost 84% of their scoring when seven seniors were graduated off last year's team, and struggled mightily on the offensive end, especially with Foster in foul trouble. He had three before halftime and drew a fourth early in the second half.

Virginia: The Cavaliers looked to be in midseason form, especially on defense, forcing 20 turnovers that they turned into 35 points and two 30-second shot-clock violations.

UP NEXT

Monmouth is back on the road and plays at No. 23 Illinois on Monday night.

Virginia remains at home and faces Northern Iowa on Monday night.

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