WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth battle defined by contrasting styles, the Virginia Cavaliers remained undefeated by outlasting the Northwestern Wildcats 83-78 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night at the Greenbrier Resort.

The game was a tale of efficiency and second chances, with Virginia overcoming a poor shooting night by dominating the offensive glass and capitalizing at the free-throw line. The Cavaliers improved to 5-0 on the season, while the Wildcats suffered their first loss, falling to 4-1.

Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward from Antwerp, Belgium, was the central figure in the contest, pouring in a game-high 26 points. His interior presence was vital for the Cavaliers, who struggled from the perimeter, connecting on just 5 of 24 attempts from three-point range. De Ridder’s performance was complemented by Chance Mallory, who scored 16 points, and Malik Thomas, who added 14.

Northwestern was led by the dynamic guard play of Jayden Reid, who scored 25 points and dished out five assists. His backcourt partner, 6-foot-11 forward Arrinten Page, was a force inside, finishing with 20 points. The Wildcats were more efficient from the field, shooting 46.6% compared to Virginia’s 37.5%, and made seven three-pointers.

The difference, however, came down to rebounding and free throws. Virginia collected a staggering 16 offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities, while Northwestern managed only four. The Cavaliers also lived at the charity stripe, attempting 36 free throws and making 30. Northwestern went 17 of 24 from the line.

The first half set the stage for the tightly contested finish. Both teams traded blows, with Northwestern’s offense clicking early. The Wildcats took a narrow 36-40 lead into halftime after a back-and-forth opening period that featured eight lead changes.

The second half continued the same pattern. Northwestern managed to build a small lead at times, but Virginia consistently answered, often through De Ridder’s scoring in the paint or by earning trips to the free-throw line. The Cavaliers’ relentless work on the glass prevented the Wildcats from ever pulling away.

With the game on the line in the final minutes, Virginia’s execution at the foul line proved decisive. Dallin Hall, who scored 11 points, and Thomas combined to hit critical free throws in the closing seconds to seal the five-point victory, keeping the Cavaliers’ perfect record intact.

Beyond the standout scorers, the game was characterized by defensive pressure. Northwestern recorded seven steals and forced 11 Virginia turnovers, converting them into 16 points. The Cavaliers, however, protected the rim effectively, blocking four shots and limiting Northwestern’s easy looks inside when it mattered most.

The game was part of a multi-team event at the neutral site, drawing an attendance of 1,209. Northwestern will look to rebound quickly as they face South Carolina at the same venue on Sunday. Virginia will also continue play at the Greenbrier, taking on Butler on Sunday.