Box Score CHARLESTON, SC - Facing a top 12 team in consecutive games, Bradley (1-2) put up a good early fight, but No. 6 Virginia (2-1) steadily pulled away over the final 33 minutes for an 82-57 win in the final game of first-round action in the 2015 Gildan Charleston Classic at TD Arena.
Bradley took a 22-19 lead on Luuk van Bree's third 3-pointer of the half with 7:38 left, but a pair of Anthony Gill free throws on the ensuring Virginia possession started an 18-3 Cavaliers run to close the half.
Early foul trouble again plagued the young Braves as the three-man center position collected eight of Bradley's 11 first-half fouls - three each for reserves Davante Cooper and Scottie James and two for starter Callum Barker. The Cavaliers took full advantage by converting 12-of-13 free throws in the opening frame, compared to just 1-of-4 from Bradley. Virginia also outrebounded Bradley, 22-8, in the first half, outscoring the Braves 9-0 in second-chance points.
After a Barker interior bucket on Bradley's first possession of the 2nd half pulled the Braves to within 37-27, Virginia responded with a 7-0 run to re-establish control and the Cavaliers made 14 of their first 17 (.824) field goal attempts after the break to push their lead to 70-44 with 8:45 left.
Van Bree scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the first half, but he was the only Brave to score in double-figures. Gill led four Cavaliers in double-figures with 16 points of his own. Malcolm Brogdan chipped in with 13, London Perrantes 12 and Marial Shayok 10.
Bradley will return to action Friday by facing Seton Hall (2-1) in a 7 p.m. EST second-round game at the Gildan Charleston Classic. Friday's game will be shown on ESPN3. Virginia advances into the winner's bracket and will face Long Beach State in a 9:30 p.m. EST game to be shown on ESPNU. Long Beach State (3-0) held off Seton Hall, 80-77, in Thursday's third game.
