Virginia narrowly avoided a first-round upset in the NCAA Tournament, pulling away late for an 82–73 win over No. 14 seed Wright State to end a seven-year tournament victory drought.

Wright State challenged Virginia throughout by exploiting defensive gaps with a perimeter-focused approach, knocking down 13 of 31 three-point attempts. Michael Imariagbe led the Raiders with five three-pointers, while Solomon Callaghan added four, as the underdog kept the game tight deep into the second half.

Virginia responded by matching that offensive production, relying on timely shooting and late-game execution. Jacari White led all scorers with 26 points, hitting 6 of 8 from beyond the arc and adding key baskets down the stretch. Thijs De Ridder contributed 10 points and helped facilitate the offense, drawing defensive attention that opened opportunities for teammates.

After a back-and-forth battle, Virginia seized control in the final minutes, closing the game on a 15–3 run to secure the victory. Defensive adjustments in the second half helped slow Wright State’s momentum, while consistent scoring prevented the Raiders from completing the upset.

The win marks a significant step forward for Virginia, which had not recorded an NCAA Tournament victory since 2017. The Cavaliers now advance to face the winner of the matchup between Tennessee and Miami (OH) in the second round.