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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Isaac McKneely made a significant impact in the final minutes of the first half, sinking three consecutive 3-pointers that helped Virginia establish a comfortable double-digit lead at halftime. The Cavaliers maintained this momentum, ultimately defeating Coppin State 62-45 in their latest matchup on Monday night.

With this victory, Virginia improved to a 2-0 record for the season under the guidance of interim head coach Ron Sanchez, who took over just weeks ago following the unexpected retirement of longtime coach Tony Bennett.

McKneely, one of the two returning starters alongside Andrew Rohde, put up an impressive performance, netting 12 of his 14 points in the first half, all from 3-point range. Elijah Saunders, a transfer from San Diego State, led the team with 15 points, while Dai Dai Ames, transferring from Kansas State, contributed 13 points alongside three rebounds and three assists. Freshman Jacob Cofie, who debuted last week with a standout performance, added depth off the bench with a double-double, scoring 11 points and securing 11 rebounds.

Virginia’s shooting statistics showcased their efforts, as they completed 21 of 52 attempts from the field, translating to 40.4%. From beyond the arc, they hit nine of their 27 shots, and their free-throw accuracy was impressive, making 11 of 12 attempts.

For Coppin State, Derrius Ward stood out by scoring 12 points and gathering nine rebounds, although the Eagles faced challenges with their shooting efficiency, managing only 14 of 50 from the field, which equates to 28%. Jonathan Dunn added 11 points off the bench, but overall, the team struggled to find a rhythm throughout the game.
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