CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Freshman Jacob Cofie had 16 points, Elijah Saunders scored nine of his 11 points in the second half and Virginia outlasted Campbell 65-56 Wednesday night to begin the Ron Sanchez era .

Sanchez was named interim head coach on October 18 following the retirement of three-time national coach of the year Tony Bennett. Sanchez spent 10 seasons on Bennett’s staff at Virginia over two different stints, 2009-19 and 2023-24.

Cofie gave Virginia its final double-digit lead with 6:08 left in the second half before Campbell cut it to six points three times over the next four minutes.

Virginia appeared to take an eight-point lead with two minutes remaining, but an official review determined that Saunders’ putback attempt did not leave his hands before the shot clock expired.

Campbell guard Jasin Sinani was fouled on a dunk with 1:46 left before making one of two free throws to pull within 59-54. But Virginia’s Isaac McKneely was fouled far from the basket and he made both free throws to extend the lead.

Virginia went 2 for 4 on its next two trips to the free throw line, but Campbell couldn’t capitalize.

Virginia improved to 14-2 in its last 16 season openers.

McKneely finished with 11 points and Blake Buchanan added 10 for Virginia.

Colby Duggan scored a game-high nine points for Campbell (1-1).

It was a back-and-forth first half until the final five minutes when Virginia went on a 12-2 run, capped by 3-pointers from Cofie and Ishan Sharma on consecutive possessions for a 35-23 lead. Cofie and Sharma combined to make all six of their shots as Virginia made 14 of 22 (64%).

The Fighting Camels made four 3-pointers in the first six minutes of the second half to pull within 44-38.

___ Receive poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Register here. AP college basketball: And