CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — Virginia improved to 2-0 by defeating North Carolina Central 81-62 in a men’s nonconference basketball game Friday at John Paul Jones Arena.

Thijs De Ridder scored 20 points to lead a balanced Cavaliers attack. Gage Lattimore scored a game-high 25 points for the Eagles, who fell to 0-2. Virginia’s defense was anchored by Johann Gruenloh, who recorded seven blocks and 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 points off them, and outscored the Eagles 28-22 in the paint.