Colonials seek upset of ninth-ranked Cavaliers

Nov 21, 2014 - 4:29 PM Charlottesville, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - The ninth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers look to stay perfect as they host the George Washington Colonials in a non- conference tilt at John Paul Jones Arena.

Virginia has earned victories by at least 20 points or more in its first three games for the first tie since the 2001-02 season. The Cavaliers coasted to a 75-55 decision over South Carolina State on Tuesday as Justin Anderson and Malcolm Brogdon scored 17 points each to lead the way. Anthony Gill added 11 points and eight rebounds and Mike Tobey scored 10 for the Cavaliers, who have won their first three games for the first time since 2008. They have also won 13 straight at home.

George Washington is 2-0 thanks to its easy 70-53 win over Rutgers is Piscataway on Sunday. Kethan Savage notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Colonials, who also received 15 points and nine rebounds courtesy of Joe McDonald. The Colonials held Rutgers to 20.7 percent shooting from the floor, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range in the first half to build a double-digit lead by the break. George Washington was just an impressive in its season opener, when it completed a 92-40 rout of Grambling.

The Cavaliers are on a six-game winning streak versus George Washington and currently own a narrow, 25-23 all-time series lead. This will be the first meeting since Virginia defeated the Colonials, 79-66, in the first round of the 2004 NIT.

Virginia is ranked third nationally in field goal percentage defense at 28.4 percent, holding each of their opponents under 33 percent. The Cavaliers have been able to keep their opposition's production to a minimum by has outrebounding each of its opponents en route to a plus-13.7 rebounding margin. Anderson has led or tied for the team lead in points in each of the first three games and is netting a career-high 15.3 ppg. Brogdon is chiming in with 12.3 ppg on 51.9 percent efficiency from the floor. Anthony Gill (11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Darion Atkins (8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Mike Tobey (8.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg) are also off to impressive starts.

GW has four players carrying double-digit scoring averages through two games. Patricio Garino is pacing the team at 15.5 ppg, while Savage is close behind with 15 ppg to go along with eight rpg. McDonald (11.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and Kevin Larsen (11 ppg, 9.0 rpg) have also done a stellar job. The Colonials are shooting 48 percent from the floor, but just 29.3 percent from beyond the arc.