wsls
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — No. 9 Virginia kicked off its season with a resounding 89-60 victory over Drexel on Tuesday night, powered by Thijs De Ridder's 24 points and nine rebounds. Sam Lewis chipped in 20 points, and Johann Grunloh added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 10 for 29 from beyond the arc.
Lewis connected on four of Virginia's 3-pointers. The Cavaliers, who have early-season challenges against Arkansas on Sunday and Maryland on Nov. 13, made 15 of 19 free throws. They committed 14 turnovers, with point guard Chance Mallory responsible for six.
Latief Lorenzano-White and reserve Ladricus Pittman each scored 11 points to lead Drexel, while Dillon Tingler added 10 off the bench.
De Ridder exploded for 12 points in the first 2:22 of the game, helping Virginia race to a 25-4 lead. The Cavaliers took a 51-27 advantage into halftime, and the outcome was never in doubt after the opening minutes.
Virginia returned four key players from last season's 30-win NCAA tournament team, fueling high expectations for Ryan Odom's second year at the helm. De Ridder, Grunloh, Lewis, and Mallory were joined in the starting lineup by German import Nolan Adekunle on Tuesday. Those four returners combined to score Virginia's first 37 points.
Drexel will host Colgate on Saturday, while Virginia will host Northeastern on Friday.
Originally reported by wsls.