Men’s basketball continued their strong start to the season with a 77-64 victory over Virginia Military Institute on Friday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center.
The Revolutionaries controlled the game from the opening tip with efficient shooting and disciplined play. Redshirt sophomore forward Darren Buchanan Jr. led the way with 17 points, showcasing his ability to score in the paint and from mid-range.
Sophomore guard Trey Autry added 15 points, hitting four three-pointers that helped create separation. The Revs shot 63% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc in the first half, building a 42-29 lead at the break.
Defensively, the Revolutionaries applied relentless pressure, forcing VMI into 15 turnovers. The Keydets struggled to find consistency, shooting just 28% from three-point range. Sophomore forward Augustinas Kiudulas stood out for VMI with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to counter the Revs’ dominance.
One of the team’s major strengths has been its depth, which was on full display Friday. The Revolutionaries’ bench contributed 28 points, with key performances from graduate student guards Gerald Drumgoole Jr. and Sean Hansen. Drumgoole hit three three-pointers for nine points, while Hansen added eight points, five rebounds, and five assists in a versatile display. Redshirt junior forward Rafael Castro anchored the paint with seven rebounds and three blocks, providing a physical presence that kept VMI at bay.
Though the Revs led comfortably for most of the game, VMI made a push midway through the second half, cutting the deficit to 11 points. The Revs quickly responded, with Autry draining a critical three-pointer at 11:12 in the second half, followed by Castro delivering a highlight-reel dunk electrifying the crowd at 8:06 and swinging the momentum back in the Revs’ favor. Buchanan continued to dominate inside, scoring on key possessions to keep the Keydets at bay.
The Revolutionaries’ defense also played a significant role in maintaining their lead. Hansen and Castro combined for several key stops, while redshirt freshman guard Christian Jones added three steals to disrupt VMI’s rhythm. Despite late scoring from VMI’s junior guard Rickey Bradley and freshman forward Kaden Stuckey, who combined for 25 points, the Revs were able to capture the victory.
The Revolutionaries improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 at home, extending their winning streak to three games behind a balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense.
They’ll play their first road game on Dec. 4 against American University, followed by a trip to Norfolk to face Old Dominion on Dec. 7.
