CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the Virginia Cavaliers dispatched the visiting Queens Royals 94-69 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday afternoon at a sold-out John Paul Jones Arena.

A crowd of 11,639 watched as the Cavaliers, now 6-1, used a decisive first-half run to build an insurmountable lead and never looked back, handing the Royals their fifth loss against three wins.

Virginia’s offense was firing from the opening tip, spearheaded by a potent and efficient international duo. Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward from Antwerp, Belgium, led all scorers with 21 points, showcasing a versatile inside-out game. He was complemented by the dominant presence of 7-foot center Johann Gruenloh of Loningen, Germany, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks in just 22 minutes of action.

The game was tight in the opening minutes, with Queens’ Nasir Mann answering early Virginia baskets. But the Cavaliers seized control with a 13-0 run midway through the first half. The surge began with a Sam Lewis 3-pointer and was capped by a De Ridder dunk off a Lewis assist, forcing a Queens timeout with the score 18-6.

Virginia’s ball movement and shooting proved too much for the Royals to counter. The Cavaliers consistently found open looks, with Lewis finishing with 15 points and four assists, and fellow starter Devin Tillis adding 13 points and five rebounds. The Cavaliers’ depth was also on full display, as Chance Mallory contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Jacari White chipped in 11 points off the bench.

Queens, which scored 29 points in the first half and 40 in the second, struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against Virginia’s stout defense. The Royals were led by Mann, who scored 18 points, and Jordan Watford, who added 10 points, five rebounds and five assists. Yoav Berman and Maban Jabriel each scored 10 points for the Royals.

Despite the final margin, Queens showed fight, particularly in the paint where they were nearly even with Virginia, 28-30. However, the Cavaliers’ advantages in fastbreak points, 12-5, and a more balanced scoring attack ultimately made the difference.

The victory provides Virginia with positive momentum as it prepares for a challenging road test against Texas next Wednesday. The Cavaliers’ only loss this season came against Butler on Nov. 23.

Queens, which fell to 3-5, will look to regroup when it returns home to face Gardner-Webb on Dec. 3. The Royals have faced a difficult early-season schedule, with previous losses to Villanova, Duquesne and Furman.

Virginia’s performance, particularly from its key contributors, demonstrated a team finding its form as the season progresses, comfortably covering the pregame spread in a game where the total score fell under the projected line.