Virginia Puts All 5 Starters in Double Figures in 91-72 Win Over No. 12 Arkansas

Photo: Virginia Athletics. Johann Grünloh, official Virginia roster photo. Card design: The Dyme.

FINAL, Capital One Arena, Washington: No. 9 Virginia 91, No. 12 Arkansas 72.

All five Virginia starters scored in double figures. Thijs De Ridder and Sam Lewis each had 16, Johann Grünloh and Chance Mallory had 15, and Nolan Adekunle had 13. De Ridder also took a game-high 10 rebounds. Virginia's margin was the largest in program history against a ranked nonconference opponent, according to Virginia Athletics.

The game was settled before halftime

Virginia led 46-27 at the break. The second half ended 45-45, by our count from the line score, so the margin was 19 at the break and 19 at the end. Virginia's largest lead was 27. Arkansas cut it to 15 with 2:52 left, per Virginia Athletics, and got no closer.

Foul trouble shaped the first half. De Ridder picked up two fouls in the first 1:43 and went to the bench. Arkansas also had early foul trouble: Miikka Muurinen played three minutes in the first half, and Jeremiah Wilkinson was scoreless at halftime, per Field Level Media. Wilkinson and Billy Richmond III combined for one point before the break, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. They finished with 11 each.

Where the 19 came from

By our count, two-point scoring was even at 40–40. Virginia’s 15-point three-point edge (36–21) and four-point free-throw edge (15–11) make the entire 19-point margin.

Virginia committed 9 turnovers. Arkansas committed 15. Virginia turned them into 24 points, and Arkansas scored 6 off Virginia's giveaways. Virginia also pulled down 19 offensive rebounds, 4 more than Arkansas had. The Democrat-Gazette counted 28 second-chance points for the Cavaliers.

Arkansas blocked 10 shots to Virginia's 6. Arkansas shot 27 of 59 (45.8 percent). Virginia shot 32 of 69 (46.4 percent) and went 15 of 20 at the line to Arkansas' 11 of 18.

Individual lines

Grünloh had 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and a game-high five blocks, and Virginia Athletics named him the game's MVP. Mallory had six assists and one turnover. Elijah Gertrude scored 8 with a game-high three steals off the bench.

For Arkansas, Jordan Smith Jr. scored 19 on 8-of-17 shooting with four steals, playing in his hometown. Muurinen had 12 in 19 minutes. Abdou Toure scored 10 off the bench.

What it means

Virginia is 3-0. Field Level Media noted the Cavaliers went 1-4 against ranked opponents last season. Arkansas is 1-1 and plays its next two at home, beginning Wednesday against Robert Morris. Virginia plays Bucknell on Tuesday night at John Paul Jones Arena. Kentucky, Connecticut, Maryland, Xavier and Marquette are still on its schedule, per Virginia Athletics.

Sources

• ESPN box score, game 401920424. Final UVA 91, ARK 72; halves 46-27 and 45-45. UVA 32-69 FG, 12-32 3PT, 15-20 FT, 9 TO, 40 paint pts, 24 pts off TO, 19 OREB. ARK 27-59 FG, 7-19 3PT, 11-18 FT, 15 TO, 38 paint pts, 6 pts off TO, 10 blk. De Ridder 16 pts, 10 reb. Lewis 16. Grunloh 15 pts, 5 blk. Mallory 15 pts, 6 ast, 1 TO. Adekunle 13. Smith Jr. 19 pts, 8-17 FG, 4 stl. Largest lead 27.
• Virginia Athletics recap, Jeff White. Nov 8, 2026. Largest margin ever vs ranked nonconference opponent. Grunloh game MVP, 15 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 5 blk. De Ridder two early fouls, 18:17 left in first half. Led 46-27 at the break, 76-49 with 8:23 left, Arkansas cut it to 15 with 2:52 left. Next: Bucknell Tuesday. Kentucky, Connecticut, Maryland, Xavier, Marquette still to come.
• Field Level Media. Nov 8, 2026. Virginia 1-4 vs ranked opponents last season. 24-6 points off turnovers. De Ridder two fouls in first 1:43. Muurinen three first-half minutes. Wilkinson scoreless at halftime. Largest lead 74-47 at 9:34.
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Matt Jones. Nov 8, 2026. Richmond and Wilkinson combined for 1 first-half point. 28 second-chance points for UVA. Arkansas next: Robert Morris Wednesday, Bud Walton Arena.
• Associated Press. Nov 8, 2026. De Ridder 16 points, five Virginia players in double figures, Virginia routed Arkansas 91-72. Arkansas' first game in Washington.
• Photo: Virginia Athletics official roster photo.