Syracuse’s Elijah Hughes, right, controls the ball under pressure from Virginia’s Casey Morsell, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Syracuse, N.Y., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Virginia picked up right where it left off in April — showcasing its Pack-Line defense in impressive fashion.

Mamadi Diakite scored 12 points, Jay Huff added 11 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 11 Virginia shut down Syracuse 48-34 on Wednesday night.

Syracuse’s shooting numbers told the story: 13 of 55 (23.6 from the floor, 5 of 29 (17.6%) from behind the arc against the defending national champions.

“I know we have to be good defensively. That will be very significant for how good we can be,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “I think our team understands how important that aspect will be. It starts with willingness. If there’s no willingness, then you’re wasting your time, and there’s willingness by the coaching staff and here’s purpose and buy-in by the young men.”

The Cavaliers became the first reigning NCAA champion to start the next season with a true road game since UCLA opened the 1967-68 season at Purdue. The Cavaliers have a 12-game winning streak in ACC openers and are 11-0 in ACC openers under Bennett.

Virginia held the Orange to 68 or fewer points in each of the previous eight meetings between the teams and this one followed form, and then some, against a team that gave four freshmen nearly 50 minutes of playing time. They finished 2 of 13 from the floor.