Virginia loses 62-58 to Preston, Ohio, ending title defense

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Virginia spent two years on top of the college basketball world. After one night in Indiana, it was all over for the Cavaliers.

Coming out of quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test, Virginia’s unusual title defense was stopped by another upset loss in the NCAA Tournament, falling 62-58 to Jason Preston and Ohio on Saturday.

“Our guys were again hopeful we’d get this opportunity,” Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett said. “The NCAA allowed us to come in in a unique way. I’m thankful for it, but it just stings right now to not advance in this tournament.”

No. 4 seed Virginia (18-7) won the ACC regular-season title and then had to withdraw from the conference tournament because of its COVID-19 issues. The Cavaliers spent seven days in quarantine, using virtual meetings to prepare for the matchup with Ohio.

Bennett and company just arrived on Friday, and now they are heading out once again.

Some familiar problems showed up again for the Cavaliers, who struggled to score during a key stretch in the second half and shot 35% from the field for the game. Virginia famously lost to No. 16 seed UMBC in the first round in 2018, but it used the setback as motivation in its run to the championship in 2019.

After last year’s NCAA Tournament was canceled because of the pandemic, the Cavaliers (18-7) became the first defending champion to lose in the first round since UConn in 2012.

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1of23Ohio guard Lunden McDay (15) shoots an off-balanced shot and scores during the first half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 2of23A Virginia fan holds up a sign before the start of a first-round game against Ohio in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 3of23 4of23Ohio forward Dwight Wilson III (4) defends against Virginia forward Jay Huff (30) during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 5of23Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas (5) looks for a teammate to pass to during the first half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 6of23 7of23Ohio head coach Jeff Boals reacts to the action on the court during the first half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 8of23Ohio guard Lunden McDay (15) drives to the basket to score during the first half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 9of23 10of23Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas (5) reacts as he scores a three-point basket as the buzzer sounds to end the first half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 11of23Ohio guard Jason Preston (0) and forward Ben Vander Plas (5) celebrate their defeat of Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 12of23 13of23Virginia guard Casey Morsell (13) walks off the court after the team’s loss to Ohio in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 14of23Virginia forward Sam Hauser (10), left, and Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas, right, meet on the court after Ohio’s win over Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 15of23 16of23Virginia guard Reece Beekman (2) shoots during the second half of a first-round game against Ohio in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 17of23Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas (5) reacts after hitting a three-point basket against Virginia during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 18of23 19of23Ohio forward Colin Granger (32) celebrates his team’s lead over Virginia during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 20of23Ohio players celebrate on the court after defeating Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 21of23 22of23Players on the Ohio get their teammates on the court fired up at the start of the second half of a first-round game against Virginia in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.Doug McSchooler/APShow MoreShow Less 23of23

Preston and Ben Vander Plas, the two stars of Ohio’s surprising Mid-American Conference Tournament run, were back at it.

Vander Plas scored eight of his game-high 17 points during an 18-4 second-half run that erased a 38-31 deficit and gave the Bobcats a 49-42 lead. Ohio (17-7) never trailed again.

When it was over, Vander Plas raced over to give Bennett a hug. Vander Plas’ father, Dean, played college ball with Bennett.

Preston made big play after big play, finishing with 11 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Lunden McDay sealed the victory at the free-throw line in the closing seconds..

Ohio (17-7) has now won its last three NCAA first-round games — beating Georgetown in 2010 and Michigan in 2012. And even though the seats inside were mostly empty at Assembly Hall, the Bobcats reveled in the celebration on the court — and the one they heard about on their home campus.

“Obviously, it’s a huge win, being the 13 seed coming out and getting a win in the NCAA Tournament is big.” Vander Plas said. “I’m just really thankful we’re able to get a win (the fans).”

Next up is for the Bobcats is No. 5 seed Creighton on Monday.

Sam Hauser had 15 points and nine rebounds for Virginia, which won the ACC regular-season title before the COVID-19 test ended their hopes of winning the tourney crown.

“The program was quarantined for seven days after the positive test, they had seven negative tests and came here and tested negatively and haven’t tested positive since then,” Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said on the telecast. Barnhart is the chairman of the NCAA’s selection committee.

While Virginia controlled most of the first half and looked as if it might pull away when it opened a 38-31 lead, Ohio stormed back. Mark Sears made a layup and Vander Plas connected on two long 3-pointers to give the Bobcats a 45-40 advantage with 6:58 left.

Ben Roderick scored 15 points for Ohio. Trey Murphy III had 12 points for the Cavs.

“I know our guys are feeling it right now,” Bennett said. “We had some chances. I don’t know if we got tired down the stretch or felt a little bit of the pressure, but we had some good looks and just had a poor shooting day, a very poor shooting day from 3-point range with some quality shots, but they did a good job defensively.”

BIG PICTURE

Ohio: The Bobcats weren’t at their best but they outplayed Virginia for most of the second half and made just enough plays down the stretch. They’re just one win away from making their second Sweet 16 in a decade.

Virginia: It was a rough week for the Cavs, who weren’t even sure whether they would play until Friday. Perhaps the quarantine affected their conditioning or sharpness, but they didn’t finish either half well.

STRANGE SIMILARITY

Thirty years ago, Vander Plas’ father, Dean, and Bennett were teammates on Green Bay’s NCAA Tournament team that lost to Michigan State 60-58. Dean Vander Plas was Green Bay’s top scorer that night with 17 points.

“Wow, that’s unbelievable. That’s crazy to hear,” Ben Vander Plas said. “That’s really cool to score the same amount as my pops in the first round, that’s really crazy.”

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More AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and updated bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket