No. 15 UVA overcomes Ohio State in Nashville

Cavaliers extend winning streak to six games with victory over Buckeyes

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 70-66 in a non-conference matchup at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Malik Thomas and Sam Lewis each scored 13 points to lead the Cavaliers, who extended their winning streak to six games. Bruce Thornton scored a game-high 28 points in the losing effort for Ohio State.

Why it matters

This was an important non-conference win for the 15th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, who are looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The loss is a setback for Ohio State, which is trying to improve its NCAA Tournament resume.

The details

The Cavaliers used a balanced scoring attack to overcome the Buckeyes, with four players scoring in double figures. Virginia's defense also played a key role, limiting Ohio State's scoring opportunities throughout the game.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • It took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The players

Malik Thomas

A key contributor for the Virginia Cavaliers, scoring 13 points in the win.

Sam Lewis

Also scored 13 points for the Cavaliers in the victory.

Bruce Thornton

The leading scorer for the Ohio State Buckeyes, pouring in a game-high 28 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a quality opponent, but our guys stepped up and made the plays we needed to get the win.”

— Tony Bennett, Head Coach, Virginia Cavaliers (Virginia Athletics)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to continue their winning streak when they return home to face ACC rival North Carolina on February 22nd. Ohio State will try to bounce back when they host Michigan State on February 19th.

The takeaway

This was an important non-conference win for the 15th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, who are positioning themselves for a strong finish to the regular season and a potential high seed in the NCAA Tournament.