LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — Virginia built a large early lead and held off a second-half push to defeat Louisville 79-70 in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at KFC Yum! Center.

The Cavaliers opened with a 19-0 run and led 33-28 at halftime. The Cardinals rallied after the break but could not close the gap fully. Virginia’s perimeter shooting proved decisive, hitting 14 3-pointers to Louisville’s 10. Malik Thomas led Virginia with 19 points. Isaac McKneely scored 23 points for Louisville.

Virginia improved to 15-2 overall. Louisville fell to 12-5. An announced crowd of 14,697 attended.