Malik Thomas scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds, while Thijs De Ridder contributed 17 points, leading No. 16 Virginia to a 72-68 victory over SMU in an ACC matchup. Virginia, now 16-2 and on a five-game winning streak, overcame a seven-point deficit to secure the win, with De Ridder’s free throws in the final minutes proving decisive. Jarin Pierre Jr. led SMU with 16 points, as the Mustangs suffered their first home loss of the season. Virginia will host No. 14 North Carolina next, while SMU visits Wake Forest on Tuesday.
